Perhaps Nigel would like to analyse the difference between what Priti Patel said in the nightly press conference:
I’m sorry if people feel that there have been failings.
and what most people wanted to hear:
I'm sorry if there have been failings.

Analysed.
She did not admit to any failings, but was sorry that people may think there have been failings. The wording appears quite clear.
If she had worded it as you say people wanted to hear it then there would have been follow-up questions asking exactly where she believed the failings had occurred, and why. By using the wording she did, she is not admitting that there were failings.

People looking at the situation with hindsight might say "you should have done this", or "you should not have done that". But the Government have made clear that they are acting on the scientific advice they are given. Admittedly not all of the advice, as some of it is contradictory.