Welsh Labour blocks Covid evidence under oath
There is to be no Wales specific inquiry set up to look at the Welsh Government’s handing of the lock-down crisis and the hardline stance it inflicted on the Welsh people. Instead there will be a Wales Covid-19 Special Purposes Committee which is limited to just feeding into and commenting on the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. Now, however, the Labour in Wales have taken measures that mean it is even less likely the truth will emerge.
Now the Welsh Labour Government’s Business Manager has vetoed the ability of the Wales Covid-19 Special Purposes Committee to call witnesses under oath. Why would they do this? It is absolutely imperative that witness are obliged by law to tell the truth. For heavens sake that is why the courts require evidence under oat in attempt to increase the chances that witness will not obfuscate and lie when giving evidence.
Reform must demand answers from Welsh Labour as to why they think it unimportant to have evidence under oath. It is important we get the the bottom of what was a very harsh crackdown on social life in Wales. Were the actions taken appropriate? The effect on people’s lives was horrendous. Bereaved families were denied their rights to grieve, families were split up, businesses destroyed and the cumulative effects was a sharp increase in mental health issues. According to Cardiff University it rose from a pre-pandemic 11.7% of the Welsh population suffering with mental health illnesses to 28.1% by April 2020.
Reform must continue to fight for answers and support those demands from bereaved families for answers.