UK-wide Covid inquiry will not sufficiently scrutinise the actions of the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay? You got the same Government you voted for last 22 years so who is to blame?
Warning that Covid inquiry losing sight of devolution
Concerns have been reiterated by the Welsh Conservatives that a UK-wide Covid inquiry will not sufficiently scrutinise the actions of the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay after the Chair’s opening statement was revealed.
The worry was prompted by confirmation that of the three modules under examination – Preparedness, Government Decision-Making, and Healthcare – only the second one will have a sub-module specifically examining Wales.
The Welsh Conservatives have long warned that Mark Drakeford’s decision to block a Wales-specific Covid inquiry would jeopardise proper accountability of the devolved government as a UK-wide inquiry would be overly focussed on England.
It has led the Party urging the Chair to reconsider the framework.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said:
“We’ve had a good relationship with the Chair so far and have been pleased by how she has understood the need to consider all the governments of the United Kingdom in this inquiry.
“So, I am disappointed in to see in this framework the potential for the actions of the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay to get lost in a UK-wide investigation.
“I will be calling on the Baroness Hallett to reiterate her commitment to properly examining devolved governments and reflect this in the inquiry’s workings.
“Of course, Mark Drakeford could do the right thing and order the Wales-specific inquiry we deserve in our search for accountability for the decisions taken – from hospital-acquired infections to schools closures to business support – that resulted in the most Covid-related deaths of all UK nations.”
