Mark Drakeford to face UK Covid 19 inquiry

Wales First Minister will give evidence days before standing down

Mark Drakeford will face questions about Wales response to the pandemic
Author: Lauren JonesPublished 13th Mar 2024
Last updated 13th Mar 2024

Wales' First Minister will explain why he made the decisions he did during the pandemic when he addresses the UK Covid 19 inquiry later.

Just days before he stands down, Mark Drakeford is likely to face questions over the timing of lockdowns, social distancing rules and testing.

Members of the Covid 19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group say they want answers from the First Minister and, ultimately, an apology for decisions made they feel were wrong.

The inquiry has already heard from the then Health minister Vaughan Gething and the current minister Eluned Morgan who took over in the latter half of the pandemic.

Vaughan Gething defended his use of WhatsApp messages and their deletion whilst Eluned Morgan told the inquiry that Wales felt like "second class citizens" and that Wales was ignored by the UK government during the pandemic.

Jeremy Miles, Minster for Education, has also given evidence - facing questions over the timing and logistics of closing schools across Wales during the lockdown.

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