The UK's Covid inquiry came to Belfast and day one heard explosive claims of political in-fighting, lost material and disarray within the Northern Ireland Executive as ministers tried to deal with the pandemic.

More than 4,000 people in the region died with the virus across 2020 and 2021.
The inquiry heard how decision making came down party-political lines.

"They should hang their heads in shame," those were the words of the Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride to the chief scientific adviser about senior politicians.

One of the issues that will be examined is why phones, with crucial communications from ministers - were wiped.

Another element the inquiry will consider is if there was an underestimation of speed and scale of what was unfolding at the pandemic's outbreak.