Professor McVie’s policing evidence features prominently in Covid-19 Inquiry Report

The Covid-19 Inquiry report for Modules 2, 2A, 2B and 2C were published by The Rt Hon the Baroness Hallett DBE, Chair of the Inquiry, on 20 November 2025. Over two volumes, the report focuses on the decisions taken by the UK government and devolved administrations to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of this on the public.  

Written and oral evidence to the Inquiry by Professor Susan McVie on the impact of government decision making on policing during the pandemic features prominently in Chapter 13 of the report. Professor McVie’s evidence draws on her expertise as a member of the Independent Advisory Group on Police Use of Temporary Powers, which was established by the Scottish Policing Authority, and also highlights research findings from the Policing the Pandemic in Scotland project, which was funded by ESRC. Drawing on this evidence, the Covid-19 Inquiry report:

• highlights the importance of ensuring that financial penalties remain proportionate, infrequent and subject to clear guidelines to ensure fairness in their application;
• proposes that further research should be undertaken on the root cause of disparities in the use of fixed penalty notices;
• questions the use of exceptionally high fines for regulatory breaches;
• and emphasises through its recommendations the importance of legal clarity, proportionality in enforcement, and enhanced democratic oversight to ensure that public health imperatives are pursued in a way that protects fundamental rights and upholds the rule of law.