Wales Must Receive SAGE Parity of Treatment - Adam Price

Plaid Cymru has called on the Welsh Government to publish details of what it agreed to in terms of its SAGE membership.

The First Minister told the BBC that he did not believe Wales was “disadvantaged” by having observer status, even though reports suggest the Welsh Chief Scientific Adviser is not allowed to participate in the meetings.

Spin-doctor Dominic Cummings however is a full member.

The Leader of Plaid Cymru has said that public interest demands that the Welsh Government be transparent about the nature of the scientific advice it has requested and received.

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said:

“The Welsh Government has not yet confirmed if its representative is allowed to participate in SAGE on the same terms as the UK Government – it should publish any agreement surrounding Dr Orford’s participation.

“And if this is not already the case they should insist on parity of treatment, it would be unacceptable for Downing Street’s chief spin doctor to have more rights on the committee that Wales’ Chief Scientific Adviser.

“It’s also in the public interest for the Welsh Government to publish the questions it has put to SAGE and the replies it has received.

"The Welsh Government should also commit to publishing the membership, minutes and reports of its own Technical Advisory Cell which relate to COVID-19 to demonstrate the transparency that has been so far lacking from the UK Government.”