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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/29/uk-covid-inquiry-under-fire-over-three-weeks-allocated-to-wales
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| UK Covid inquiry under fire over three weeks allocated to Wales | UK Covid inquiry under fire over three weeks allocated to Wales |
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| Bereaved families and unions criticise ‘extraordinarily short’ hearing on Welsh government’s response | Bereaved families and unions criticise ‘extraordinarily short’ hearing on Welsh government’s response |
| Bereaved families have strongly criticised proposals by the UK Covid-19 inquiry to set aside only three weeks each for its public hearings on the responses to the pandemic in Wales and Northern Ireland. | |
| Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru argued that the Labour-led government would escape proper scrutiny unless more time was allocated. Trade union leaders suggested there was a risk Wales could be seen as the “poorer relative” in the inquiry. | Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru argued that the Labour-led government would escape proper scrutiny unless more time was allocated. Trade union leaders suggested there was a risk Wales could be seen as the “poorer relative” in the inquiry. |
| The Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group claimed at least six weeks should be given to examining how the pandemic was dealt with there. | |
| During preliminary hearings on Wednesday, it emerged that the Welsh hearing is due to take place in February next year and the Northern Ireland hearing in April. | |
| The barrister Bethan Harris, representing the Welsh families’ group, said: “There is a deep concern that it’s proposed to cover the impact and handling of the pandemic [in Wales] within three weeks. | |
| “The group is concerned this may not allow for adequate scrutiny. There is no other inquiry for Wales, the first minister [Mark Drakeford] having refused a Wales-specific inquiry akin to the Scottish inquiry. It relies on this inquiry. The concern is the devolved Welsh government will escape full scrutiny.” | “The group is concerned this may not allow for adequate scrutiny. There is no other inquiry for Wales, the first minister [Mark Drakeford] having refused a Wales-specific inquiry akin to the Scottish inquiry. It relies on this inquiry. The concern is the devolved Welsh government will escape full scrutiny.” |
| Samuel Jacobs, representing Wales TUC Cymru, said the proposed hearing seemed “extraordinarily short” and continued: “It appears that the Wales hearing is the poorer relative of more robust consideration given in relation to Westminster decision-making. | Samuel Jacobs, representing Wales TUC Cymru, said the proposed hearing seemed “extraordinarily short” and continued: “It appears that the Wales hearing is the poorer relative of more robust consideration given in relation to Westminster decision-making. |
| “There is also the problem of being able to meaningfully test an array of complex issues in a mere 13 or 14 days of evidence. The current estimate seems to be problematically short.” | “There is also the problem of being able to meaningfully test an array of complex issues in a mere 13 or 14 days of evidence. The current estimate seems to be problematically short.” |
| He called on Lady Hallett, the chair of the inquiry, to “grasp the nettle” and extend the Welsh hearing. | He called on Lady Hallett, the chair of the inquiry, to “grasp the nettle” and extend the Welsh hearing. |
| Drakeford has repeatedly said a UK-wide inquiry is the best way to get to the truth of the Covid response because of the interconnected nature of the decisions made across the four countries. | Drakeford has repeatedly said a UK-wide inquiry is the best way to get to the truth of the Covid response because of the interconnected nature of the decisions made across the four countries. |
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| At the preliminary hearing, Ruth Henke, for the Welsh government, said there was a “significant amount of ground to cover” in “a relatively limited time” and asked the inquiry to make sure more time would be allowed if needed. | At the preliminary hearing, Ruth Henke, for the Welsh government, said there was a “significant amount of ground to cover” in “a relatively limited time” and asked the inquiry to make sure more time would be allowed if needed. |
| Brenda Campbell KC, who represents the Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said factors such as the country’s “unique geographical situation” – a porous border with the Republic of Ireland – and its “political dysfunction” meant that at least twice as long would be needed. She said the “perilous state” of public services before the pandemic hit ought to be addressed. | |
| Campbell added that the ongoing uncertain political situation meant there was no prospect of a specific Northern Ireland inquiry. | |
| Hallett said: “I am determined that modules such as this focused on the devolved nations will not be a sideshow. They are a vital part of the hearings.” | |
| After the hearing the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, described the time proposed as “compressed and limited”. He added: “It is still the view of the Welsh Conservatives that the answers that bereaved families and the people of Wales deserve will be best served by a Wales-specific Covid inquiry.” | After the hearing the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, described the time proposed as “compressed and limited”. He added: “It is still the view of the Welsh Conservatives that the answers that bereaved families and the people of Wales deserve will be best served by a Wales-specific Covid inquiry.” |