Wales Covid review will lack statutory powers, First Minister confirms

Wales’s independent Covid-19 review will not have statutory powers to compel witnesses to give evidence, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has confirmed in an interview with S4C’s Y Byd yn ei Le. He said the government expected witnesses to be called forward, while acknowledging the difference between a review and what an inquiry can do under statutory powers. The distinction is consequential: an expectation that people will take part is different from a legal power to require their evidence.

Review will proceed

Asked whether the review would go ahead without Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru taking part, ap Iorwerth said it was happening and that he hoped the families would participate. He said he had worked closely with them since becoming a health spokesperson and believed they were seeking the same answers. The First Minister said the government was doing what it had promised by putting a plan in place to obtain answers. These are his comments in S4C’s own interview, published on Thursday 22 October, rather than a new set of findings about pandemic decisions.

What has been approved

A ministerial decision published on 21 October records approval for the establishment of an independent Wales Covid-19 Review. That short notice does not name a chair or set out terms of reference, a start date or a reporting deadline. The interview now clarifies the absence of statutory powers. The scope, timetable and detailed arrangements for taking evidence remain the next information needed to understand how the review will operate.