UK's Covid-19 Death Rate Sparks Debate

Boris Johnson and Hugo Keith Disagree on UK's Position in European and Global Rankings

Boris Johnson disputed the claim that the UK had one of the worst Covid-19 death rates in Europe, stating that the UK was 'well down the European table, and well down the world table'.
Hugo Keith, lead counsel to the Covid Inquiry, countered that in terms of western Europe, the UK was 'one of the worst off, if not the second worst off'.
Data from the Office for National Statistics and Our World in Data suggest that both claims could be correct, depending on the specific measures and comparisons used.
Using confirmed Covid-19 deaths per million as a measure, the UK had a lower rate than most central and eastern EU member states, but a higher rate than every western and southern European member state.
However, when considering excess mortality, the UK fared better than most central and eastern European EU member states, Italy, Spain, Greece, and the US, but worse than most wealthier, western European countries with good healthcare systems.