The head of a UK-wide inquiry into how the coronavirus pandemic was handled has admitted that its investigation "can't cover every issue" relating to Wales.
Baroness Hallett, who is chairing the inquiry, made these points at the start of initial inquires looking at how the pandemic played out in Wales. There has been outrage at Mark Drakeford's decision not to hold a Welsh-specific inquiry into the handling of Covid-19.
The First Minister has consistently argued that in order to fully understand how Covid played out it needs to be seen in a UK-wide context. However, given that Welsh Labour have made a great deal of political capital out of the perception they handled the pandemic differently to Westminster some have argued that it is outrageous that these decisions will not be scrutinised.
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WalesOnline has previously listed 29 things a Welsh specific inquiry in Covid in Wales would need to look at as well as highlighting the voices of families who lost loved ones from the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group. Despite this, the Welsh Government has been steadfast in their refusal to hold an inquiry.
Speaking at the inquiry Baroness Hallett said: "I know there have been calls for a separate Welsh inquiry. And I understand the strength of feelings that there is around both Wales and indeed in Northern Ireland, asking for separate inquiries. It is not a decision for me and I am completely neutral on the question.
"But what I will promise you is that if a Wales inquiry 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 the people of Wales would wish to see covered. If there isn't a separate inquiry established, then I will do my very best to ensure and I know my inquiry team will do their very best to ensure that we cover all the issues that the people of Wales wish to see covered.
"And I know from my first visit on the consultation exercise which was, in fact, in Cardiff, I know the strength of feeling there is on a number of different issues, because I heard them directly from members of bereaved families."
However, she stressed that they would not be covering "every issue". "Whatever happens, we will try to ensure that we cover all the most significant and important issues," she said. "I have to emphasize, 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.
"The reason for that is that we have to get on with this inquiry because if we are going to make a difference and make all this work, and I've no doubt the distress that these kinds of proceedings will cause to the bereaved and others who have suffered, then we have to be able to get recommendations to the UK Government, the Government of Wales, the Government in Northern Ireland, and the Government in Scotland, and get any recommendations implemented before another pandemic strikes.
"Only in that way can we make our work and this inquiry worthwhile, and I hope to be able to reduce the suffering in any future pandemic, and possibly reduce the grave suffering from those who lose loved ones. So that is my aim. So I make no apologies for the ambitious timetable."
The Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has called for private messages between Labour Government ministers and officials in Cardiff Bay to be disclosed to the UK-wide Covid inquiry. Mr Davies MS has written to inquiry chair asking her to ensure demands made of the UK Government are also made to the devolved administration.
Commenting Mr Davies said: "In order for the inquiry to achieve its purpose of delivering answers to those who lost loved ones, lost their businesses, and lost valuable hours of education during the pandemic, it is essential that we get as much transparency as possible.
“This must extend just beyond decision-makers in Westminster, so that people in Wales can hold leaders in Cardiff Bay accountable too. We need to see how ministers interacted with civil servants, the health boards, and Public Health Wales to get the full picture.
“We always wanted a Wales-specific inquiry as there would be no doubt this would happen as there would be no threat of Welsh Government actions being overshadowed, but without one we are writing to the Chair to ensure our joint ambition of equal scrutiny across the UK is maintained. I look forward to hearing back from Baroness Hallett on the assurances we have sought.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Plaid Cymru’s health and care spokesperson, has backed calls for a Welsh inquiry from the start of the pandemic. 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.”
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