“Not too late” to set up a Wales-Specific Covid Inquiry

Plaid Cymru responds to admission by inquiry Chair that not all decisions made in Wales will be covered in UK inquiry

Plaid Cymru responds to admission by inquiry Chair that not all decisions made in Wales will be covered in UK inquiry

Plaid Cymru has responded to the news that the chair of the UK Covid inquiry has said that the inquiry she will lead “cannot cover every issue” relating to Wales.

On the first day of the Covid inquiry, Baroness Hallet said, in reference to the calls for scrutiny of decisions made in Wales throughout the pandemic, “I have to emphasise, we can’t cover every issue, we cannot cover, or call every witness, we are going to have to focus on the most significant and the most important decisions.”

Baroness Hallet also indicated that it would still be possible for a Wales-specific inquiry, saying: “If a Wales enquiry is set up, I will work with them and cooperate to the best of my ability to ensure that between us we cover all the issues that people of Wales would wish to see covered.”

Baroness Hallet stressed that it would not be a decision for her to make, and that she is “completely neutral” on the question.

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Plaid Cymru’s health and care spokesperson, has backed calls for a Welsh inquiry since the beginning of Covid and supported calls by the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru.

Responding to Baroness Hallett’s comments, Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

“Campaigners for the bereaved families in Wales have been vindicated with confirmation by the UK Inquiry Chair that she won’t be able to look at all the relevant issues in Wales, and that not all decisions made in Wales throughout the pandemic will be scrutinised.

“This far from settles the matter for those who continue to be angered by this avoidance of scrutiny.

“Plaid Cymru have called since the early days of the pandemic for decisions made in Wales - good and bad - to be scrutinised in Wales by a Wales-specific inquiry. The Labour Welsh Government must take ownership of their decisions.

“But the Labour Welsh Government can still change their minds, give the bereaved families what they deserve. Set up a Wales Covid inquiry now, before it really is too late.”