New calls for Welsh pandemic inquiry

WELSH politicians have renewed calls for an independent inquiry into the devolved government over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

- ELEANOR STOREY

It comes after the publication of Baroness Heather Hallett's report on the UK Covid Inquiry, which found all four governments across the UK failed to appreciate the level of risk faced when the pandemic hit.

The report stated that, from August to December 2020, Wales had the highest age-standardised mortality rate of the four nations.

Lady Hallett suggested a combination of failed local restrictions, a firebreak that was too late and the decision to relax measures too quickly all contributed to these deaths.

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, and Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, called for a Wales-only inquiry to look more closely at decisions taken by the Welsh Government.