News

Covid report says Wales was ‘too slow’ as inquiry criticises four nations’ response

Published

7 months ago

November 20, 2025

Second UK inquiry report finds Welsh ministers over-relied on London guidance

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT was “too slow” to act in the opening weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic and relied too heavily on UK Government advice, according to the latest findings of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

The report – the second major publication from Baroness Heather Hallett’s inquiry – concludes that all four governments across the UK provided an “inadequate” response in the run-up to the first national lockdown, making sweeping restrictions “inevitable.”

In Wales, the inquiry found ministers failed to shift away from London’s lead quickly enough, and were late to recognise the seriousness of the developing situation in early 2020. It also warns that the Welsh Government was behind the curve again during the second wave in October 2020, a period which saw Wales record the highest Covid death rate of any UK nation.

More than 12,000 people in Wales died with Covid-19 between 2020 and August 2024. Unlike Scotland, Wales does not have its own national inquiry.

‘Heavy dependence’ on UK advice

Over a three-week evidence session, the inquiry heard from 31 witnesses including bereaved families, clinicians, civil servants and senior politicians. The report says both Mark Drakeford, then First Minister, and then Health Minister Vaughan Gething “relied heavily” on UK risk assessments without sufficiently considering Wales’ specific circumstances.

It adds that Welsh ministers should have “recognised the seriousness” of the threat during January and February 2020 and taken earlier preparatory action.

The inquiry also highlights strained relationships between Westminster and the devolved administrations, noting that while Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland attended COBRA meetings, there was a sense that key decisions “had effectively already been made” by the UK Government before discussions took place.

Slow cabinet discussions

The report criticises the pace of formal decision-making in Cardiff Bay, saying the Welsh Cabinet failed to consider Covid matters quickly enough in February 2020. It also notes that after Wales’ first confirmed case, Mr Drakeford travelled to Brussels for St David’s Day events rather than attending a cabinet meeting.

As the pandemic progressed, differing approaches to easing restrictions created public “confusion,” with devolved governments often adopting more cautious measures than England.

‘Careful and considered’

Despite these shortcomings, the inquiry draws a sharp contrast between the atmosphere within Whitehall and that within the Welsh Government. It describes the UK Government’s internal culture as “toxic and chaotic,” while Welsh ministers viewed their own cabinet as more inclusive, with Mr Drakeford characterised as a “careful and considered leader” who maintained constructive relationships with colleagues.

Call for reform and clearer communication

The report recommends new communication structures to improve coordination between the four nations during future emergencies, along with reforms to clarify internal decision-making processes within each government.

Welsh Government response

Responding to the report on Thursday, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I welcome the second report published by the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry. It is important that we remember the huge loss and suffering experienced by so many people as a result of Covid-19. Today, our thoughts must be with them above all else.

“We will spend time reading the report and will work with the other UK governments over the coming months to consider and act on the recommendations. We are committed to learning lessons from the pandemic and will continue to take an active part in the UK inquiry.”

Community

Milford Haven Carnival organisers appeal for help from residents

Published

12 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN ROUND TABLE is asking residents in Hakin and Hubberston to help keep roads clear ahead of this Saturday’s Carnival Procession.

Organisers say the event is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with a large number of floats, lorries and support vehicles expected to make their way through Hakin before the procession begins at Waterloo Square.

Residents living along Gelliswick Road, Rectory Avenue, Glebelands and Picton Road, particularly near the junction with Observatory Avenue, are being asked to avoid double parking or parking on pavements where possible between around 11.45am and 1.00pm.

The route being used by the floats and support vehicles is shown on the map.

Some of the vehicles involved are large, and organisers say keeping the roads as clear as possible for the short period will help ensure the procession reaches Waterloo Square safely and on time.

Milford Haven Round Table said the carnival “belongs to the whole community” and thanked residents for their continued support.

They added: “Your understanding and cooperation, even for this short time, will make a huge difference and help make this year’s Carnival another fantastic day for our town.”

Residents are also being encouraged to share the message with friends, family and neighbours who live along the affected roads.

Crime

New Year’s Day drug-driver banned after police stop in Milford Haven

Published

12 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S EVE drive has resulted in a 12-month road ban after a motorist was found to be more than twice the legal cannabis limit.

Ridwan Rahman, 20, was stopped by police as he drove his Vauxhall Astra along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on January 1.

“Police noted the car accelerating away from traffic lights in an erratic manner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When officers asked the vehicle to stop, they smelt cannabis coming from inside.”

A blood test later showed Rahman had 5.2mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Rahman, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who disputed the prosecution’s claim that he had been driving erratically.

“He does not accept that he was driving in an erratic manner, nor that he accelerated away from the traffic lights,” she said.

“The officers told him he had been stopped because the vehicle’s registration plate light was not working.”

Rahman, of Carbon Close, Newport, was fined £323 and ordered to pay a £129 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Fishguard man jailed after breaching order banning contact with mother

Published

12 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A FISHGUARD man has been jailed after breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his mother.

Steven O’Sullivan attended his mother’s home on June 22, despite the order having been imposed in November 2012. It prohibited him from having any direct or indirect contact with her.

“She felt she needed to phone the police because she was frightened of her son,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He had been dropped off at his mother’s property by a female, and his mother went upstairs to ring the police because he makes her feel vulnerable.”

When officers arrived, they found O’Sullivan inside an outbuilding, crouching beside an outside toilet.

“There have been a number of previous breaches, the most recent being on June 5,” continued Ms Vaughan. “Now we have yet another one on June 22.”

O’Sullivan, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, is currently on remand at Swansea Prison. He is also accused of stealing beer and food worth £45 from the Nisa store in Haverfordwest on June 21.

Representing him in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd said there had been no threats of violence when O’Sullivan went to his mother’s home.

“But the aggravating factor is his previous convictions,” he told the bench.

“He was particularly upset and had nowhere else to go. This was why he went to see his mother.”

Magistrates jailed O’Sullivan for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on July 7 to enter a plea in relation to the alleged theft offence.