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 Welsh 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 said 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 next year.
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.”
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.”
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.
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 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.”
