Wales-wide Covid inquiry should be a priority for new government, says Plaid

Establishing a Wales-wide Covid-19 enquiry should be one of the first acts of the new Welsh Government, according to Plaid Cymru.

The party’s leader Adam Price was responding to Boris Johnson’s announcement that a UK wide Covid inquiry will take place in Spring 2022.

Price says the Welsh Government should “lead by example by establishing an inquiry right away”.

He warned that “Covid-19 will be with us for some time yet” and suggested that it should not wait until the pandemic is over.

‘Independent’ 

Adam Price said: “One of the first acts of this Labour Welsh Government should be to establish an independent Welsh inquiry into its handling of the pandemic.

“Whilst Westminster is waiting until the spring of next year to even begin the work, the Welsh Government could set its own agenda and lead by example by establishing an inquiry right away whilst memories are still fresh and initial findings could be ready by as early as the start of Autumn.

“An independent Welsh inquiry, running parallel to the UK-wide enquiry, could provide a sharper focus on how well the Welsh Government responded, the efficiency of its PPE procurement and test and trace systems, and crucially how we can better protect our citizens from future pandemics.

“Covid-19 will be with us for some time yet. We cannot wait until the pandemic is over.

“Lessons need to be learnt now. Such an inquiry should leave no stone unturned in answering, difficult questions fully and frankly.

“The people of Wales – especially those directly affected by the tragic consequences of the pandemic – will expect nothing less.”