Drakeford expected UK government to lead pandemic response until days before lockdown, inquiry told

Wales’ first minister had expected the UK government to take the “key” decisions during the pandemic until just days before the first lockdown was announced, the COVID Inquiry has been told.

Pics: Reuters/Brian Lawless/PA

The inquiry heard Mark Drakeford’s expectation was that civil contingency powers would be used during the pandemic, which are not devolved to Wales.

The UK COVID inquiry is currently sitting in Cardiff for the first of three weeks’ worth of hearings, focused on pandemic decision-making in Wales.

Tom Poole KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, referred to Mr Drakeford’s expectation, given in his evidence to the inquiry, “that civil contingency powers would be the primary instrument used to respond to the pandemic”.

It was heard the Welsh government had assumed up until 20 March 2020 that powers would remain with the UK government.

But rather than using civil contingency powers, public health legislation was introduced as the pandemic was not considered to be an “unforeseen event, meaning the devolved governments, including in Wales, oversaw their own responses.

“That certainly seems to be the first minister’s understanding of the situation,” he said.

Professor Wincott, an expert in Welsh government decision-making, added that Mr Drakeford’s assumption was “broadly-speaking reasonable based on what I understand of the situation”.

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He also told the inquiry the Welsh government’s communication policy during the pandemic was successful “overall”.

“I think there were specific examples of mishandled issues, for example, there were issues around the firebreak to do with non-essential items in supermarkets and how they were handled,” he added.

The inquiry continues.