Campaigner calls for independent COVID-19 Inquiry focusing on Wales

A covid inquiry campaigner says there needs to be a fully independent committee looking at the Welsh Government's handling.

Currently in the Senedd a 'Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee' is taking place, made up entirely with politicians, with the aim of scrutinising the UK Inquiry's conclusions.

Anna-Louise Marsh-Rees, from Abergavenny, lost her father during the pandemic, she describes the Senedd Committee as a 'Vicar of Dibley' committee.

Anna-Louise says:

"The better questions for the Welsh Government to think about is having their own Wales inquiry to fully scrutinise, not a 'Vicar of Dibley' committee.

"The Senedd committee is looking for gaps in the UK Inquiry but all of these sessions are behind closed doors- it doesn't give us a huge amount of confidence."

Anna-Louise is part of COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, they say they want an independent inquiry solely looking at the Welsh Government's approach and conduct during the pandemic.

Anna-Louise continues:

"We wanted targeted recommendations from the UK Inquiry, which they're quite generic right now.

"How this Senedd committee is going to work- we've got no idea."

The Welsh Government say:

“We continue to engage fully with the UK Covid-19 inquiry to ensure all actions and decisions taken by the Welsh Government are fully and properly scrutinised.

"We will also work with the Senedd special committee, which will further scrutinise the UK inquiry’s conclusions at the end of each module to see if significant questions remain outstanding.”

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