Welsh government to hold Wales-specific Covid inquiry

The Welsh government is to push on with plans for an independent Wales Covid-19 review.

Plaid Cymru promised in its Senedd election manifesto that, if it won, it would examine the Labour administration's handling of the pandemic.

Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, which represents people who lost loved ones, has long called for a Welsh inquiry.

The previous Welsh Labour government refused to hold one, on the grounds it should to be investigated in a UK context.

Now the Welsh government has said a review will be established by Dafydd Trystan Davies, effectiveness and constitution minister.

Welsh Conservatives health spokeswoman, Natasha Asghar, said she looked forward to scrutiny of an "extraordinary and distressing" time.

"There are difficult questions that need addressing such as the why the virus was allowed to spread in care homes and why the Welsh government took a more draconian approach to lockdowns compared to other parts of the UK," Asghar said.

Davies is expected to provide details of the review when MSs return from the autumn recess in November.