chairwoman

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said the organisation was "pleased" the judgment addressed "difficulties" it highlighted in its submission to the court.

The two MPs received support from Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry, who said their treatment was "an insult to our Parliament".

They said they had lost trust and confidence in the chairwoman but her legal action to block them from removing her meant they had no other option than to resign.

At one point, the chairwoman of the inquiry, Baroness Hallett, intervened, telling Hancock it was her job to learn lessons for any future pandemic.

The couple claimed they were the targets of a "politically motivated witch hunt" after the inquiry's chairwoman, Baroness Hallett, refused their application to be made "core participants".