News
Message suggests Vaughan Gething lied to UK Covid Inquiry
VAUGHAN GETHING came under fresh pressure on Tuesday (May 7).
Wales’s First Minister, whose reputation hangs on a thread following a donations scandal, allegedly misled the UK Covid inquiry when he gave evidence in March.
GETHING’S CREDIBILITY TORPEDOED
Veteran reporter Martin Shipton revealed Mr Gething’s casual approach to truth in an article for Nation Cymru.
The First Minister gave evidence under oath, saying WhatsApp messages on his phone were accidentally deleted by Senedd IT staff.
However, a message leaked to Martin Shipton contradicts his account.

In a text message posted to the ministerial group chat on Monday, August 17 2020, when he was Health Minister, Mr Gething wrote: “I’m deleting the messages in this group. They can be captured in an FOI [Freedom of Information request] and I think we are all in the right place on the choice being made.”
Vaughan Gething is a solicitor. Giving apparently perjured evidence under oath to a statutory inquiry could have grave professional consequences.
The political consequences could be apocalyptic.
GETHING PUTS THE WHOLE WG IN THE CART
The interlocking issues for Mr Gething could not be more damaging.
If he lied to the Covid Inquiry under oath, his fellow MSs can have little faith that he is telling them the truth when he answers questions in the Senedd.
Secondly, it opens the door to questions about what else Welsh Government ministers and civil servants deleted for fear its content could embarrass them or be subject to disclosure later. For the avoidance of doubt, any other current or former ministers in the group chat who heard Mr Gething plead innocence and ignorance and stayed silent are also in the soup.
Moreover, the message’s leak from a ministerial WhatsApp group suggests its source is within Labour ranks in the Senedd and was either a group member or a person connected to a group member.
Finally, the content of the message makes it clear that messages were deliberately deleted to avoid being captured by a potential Freedom of Information Act request at a future date.
And it was Mr Gething who made the deletions on that basis.
COVER-UP AND DENIAL THREW PRESIDING OFFICER UNDER THE BUS
The First Minister cannot plead ignorance.
On March 11, the lead Counsel for the Covid Inquiry questioned him about the missing messages.
Tom Poole KC said: “You would accept, would you, that it’s not just important to retain records for an Inquiry of this nature but it is important for public accountability?”
Mr Gething responded: “Indeed, it’s important the public can see not just the choices we made but why we have made those choices.”
The Senedd’s Presiding Officer was inadvertently caught up in Mr Gething’s cover-up.
The day after Mr Gething gave evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry, the Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, raised the messages’ loss.
Elin Jones MS intervened to say that she hoped Mr Davies was not criticising Senedd IT staff.
Neither Mr Davies nor Ms Jones could have known that Mr Gething had gone out of his way to delete messages because he did not want them revealed to the public.
Mr Gething never corrected the record or his evidence.
His discomfiture follows that of former First Minister Mark Drakeford, who denied using WhatsApp messages and only corrected the record when it was found he had.
OTHER MINISTERS ARE ‘COMPLICIT’
Covid Families for Justice Cymru said they wanted Mr Gething recalled to give evidence to Baroness Hallett’s Inquiry, adding: “We look forward to hearing the response from the UK Covid Inquiry to the news Vaughan Gethin deleted his ministerial messages.
“He said under oath that he had not.
“He might not have known there was a disappearing message function, but he definitely knew how to delete texts manually. They were a public record that could be published under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request!
“Which is exactly why he deleted them. The other ministers in the chat are complicit, too.”
CLOAK AND DAGGER DECISION MAKING
Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, also called for Mr Gething’s recall by Baroness Hallett.
He said: “The cloak and dagger decision-making in the Labour Welsh Government is clear.
“Decisions made in these WhatsApp groups have led to lives lost and businesses shut.
“Evidence suggesting that the First Minister deliberately deleted important exchanges makes it obvious why Labour has blocked an independent Wales-specific COVID inquiry.
“In light of this, there is an even more compelling case for a COVID inquiry for Wales.”
A BLATANT DISREGARD FOR HONESTY
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “The revelation that Vaughan Gething, as the former Health Minister of Wales, deliberately deleted messages at the height of the pandemic strikes a devastating blow to those who lost loved ones and who, like us in Plaid Cymru, have long called for a Welsh inquiry to investigate Government decisions.
“We all sought transparency but were told everything was available for the UK Inquiry to see; this undermines any belief that that is the case.
“It shows blatant disregard for honesty and transparency, further undermining trust in the Labour First Minister following his donations scandal.
“The leaked message shows that the Welsh Labour Cabinet was complicit in allowing this deception.
“As chair of the Inquiry, Baroness Hallett should immediately recall Vaughan Gething to clarify what he said under oath.
“Vaughan Gething is running away from an independent investigation into a donation to his Labour leadership campaign but must not be allowed to dodge an investigation into this extremely serious matter.”
Crime
Man charged after dog walker killed in Llanpumsaint collision
A 28-YEAR-OLD Carmarthen man is to appear in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision in Carmarthenshire which claimed the life of a 38-year-old dog walker.
Aaron Jones died after being struck by a vehicle in Llanpumsaint on Monday (Dec 23), 2024, while he was out walking his dog.
Daniel Wyke, aged 28, from Carmarthen, was arrested the following day. He has now been charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of dangerous driving.
Wyke is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 15), 2026.
The charges follow what police have described as a lengthy investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
Sergeant Sara John said: “Our thoughts remain with Aaron’s family, who continue to be at the heart of this investigation.
“We recognise that this has been a lengthy investigation, and I am grateful to Aaron’s family, and the wider community, for their patience and support while our enquiries have been carried out.
“We will continue to support Aaron’s family as the case progresses, and we seek to provide justice for Aaron and his loved ones.”
Police confirmed that Aaron’s family have asked for privacy at this time.
The collision sent shockwaves through the Llanpumsaint community, with residents previously expressing concern about road safety in the area following the tragedy.
The case will continue through the courts.
Crime
DNA spray used in police crackdown on illegal e-bike and e-scooter riders
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are deploying forensic DNA spray as part of a targeted operation to tackle dangerous and antisocial riding on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.
Dyfed-Powys Police have begun a series of enforcement operations using SelectaDNA – a forensic spray containing a unique code that can be traced to a specific location, date and time.
Traditionally used to mark property at risk of theft, the spray is now being used to identify individuals and vehicles involved in illegal riding, particularly where offenders attempt to conceal their identities.
The operations follow a sharp rise in complaints, particularly across south Pembrokeshire. Police received 60 reports over a six-month period, with 92 per cent of callers raising concerns about antisocial or dangerous riding. Many reports involved riders wearing face coverings.
Across the Dyfed-Powys force area, officers have seized 19 e-bikes and 28 e-scooters during recent enforcement activity.
The crackdown involves neighbourhood policing and prevention teams, response officers, the force intelligence bureau, the roads policing unit and drone operators, with patrols focused on areas of highest community concern.
Inspector Celt Thomas said officers had received specialist training before the operation began.
“Ahead of the operation, officers were trained in the use of SelectaDNA, which is a spray containing a quantity of unique DNA,” he said.
“It can be used to tag people, e-bikes, scooters or motorbikes, and can pinpoint offenders to a specific location, date and time.
“If offenders are later identified or brought into custody following an incident, their bikes, clothing or even they themselves can be forensically examined and evidentially linked to an offence.”
During the first operation in Pembroke Dock, an illegal e-bike rider was stopped and arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, possession of controlled drugs, drug driving and having no insurance.
The e-bike, which officers said had been heavily modified and was worth between £4,000 and £6,000, was seized and is set to be destroyed.
PC Stuart Gray warned parents to think carefully before buying e-scooters for children this Christmas.
“E-scooters and bikes pose serious safety risks for children, including accidents and injuries,” he said.
“We urge parents to prioritise their child’s wellbeing and consider safer, more appropriate alternatives.”
Inspector Thomas said police would continue to take firm action.
“These riders are causing a huge amount of concern in the area due to their dangerous behaviour and intimidating appearance, and we are committed to resolving the issue,” he said.
“We will continue to target these groups over the coming months and are confident these operations will have positive results.
“We urge members of the community who have information about anyone riding illegally or antisocially to contact us.”
Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Entertainment
Periwinkle is mischievous but has a heart of gold
PERIWINKLE the sea sprite is mischievous, big-hearted and the guardian of the
Cleddau who loves exploring the Pembrokeshire coast and the loveable character
can’t wait to meet you all this December as Rapunzel comes alive on the Torch
Theatre stage.
From Broad Haven and Little Haven, to Druidstone, Newgale and St
David’s, Periwinkle has magical powers and abilities, can harness the armour and
strength of a crab, or the speed and agility of a fish!
Eifion ap Cadno, who plays Periwinkle, hails from Bangor in north Wales. He trained
in Acting and Contemporary Theatre at East 15 Acting School before heading out to
perform with theatre companies across the UK, Germany and Austria. This will be
his first ever pantomime appearance, and he can’t wait to entertain Pembrokeshire
audiences.
“I’m very much looking forward to taking part as everything about it is so positive.
The original script is mad, the cast members are so generous and supportive,
everyone involved is just so talented and a joy to work with. Moving from rehearsals
in the studio to the main stage and seeing all the design and technical elements
come together has been so magical. I feel very privileged to be a part of such a
brilliant team and production,” said Eifion.
Audiences will love Periwinkle’s fabulous look, all clad in netting, seaweed, shells
and coral, with enormous hair that is very blue. Periwinkle can move like a jellyfish,
sometimes a crab, sometimes a fish, or anything sea-dwelling and can be very silly
at times.
“Periwinkle has a rather fantastic and elaborate appearance, to put it mildly. Gettinginto costume, applying all my make-up and putting on the wig (it’s not my real hair,
sorry to disappoint), is definitely a big part of getting into character. The designer and
wardrobe team have done such an amazing job of bringing Periwinkle to life – I find
that once I’m all dolled up, most of the work has already been done!”
The magical and mischievous Periwinkle has been a favourite with school children
during the school pantomime sessions and the audience support has put Eifion at
ease.
“The truth is, nothing can quite prepare you for the stage – it’s such a different
experience finally having all those children sat watching you! And they’ve not sat
quietly so far, they’ve really got involved. Periwinkle, wants to be best friends with
the audience and get them to help fight the mean witch Mother Gothel and this has
meant a lot of audience interaction!”
Rapunzel, the hair-raising adventure can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage now
until Sunday 28 December. Relaxed Environment Performance Saturday 13
December at 2pm and BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday 16 December at
6pm. Ticket price: £24.50 | £20.00 Cons | £78.00 Family. For further information visit
the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on
(01646) 695267.
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