**Mark Drakeford and Vaughan Gething Testify at UK Covid Inquiry, Shedding Light on Wales’ Pandemic Response**
The former First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, and his then-health minister and successor, Vaughan Gething, have taken centre stage in London as part of the UK’s ongoing Covid-19 inquiry. The high-profile hearing, being held at Dorland House, is examining how testing, contact tracing, and isolation strategies were shaped and implemented across the UK’s four nations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both Drakeford and Gething, key figures in shaping Wales’ Covid-19 response, provided their testimonies on Tuesday, offering valuable insights into decision-making at the height of the crisis. The inquiry, which will run through Thursday, has also brought in expert witnesses, officials from the Treasury, and representatives from the devolved governments and Westminster, reflecting the broad scope of the investigation.
This session marks the seventh of ten planned “modules” delving into distinct aspects of the pandemic response. Earlier modules have addressed readiness and resilience in the face of the pandemic, the effect of Covid-19 on healthcare infrastructure, vaccine rollout strategies, procurement procedures, and the operation of adult social care in both public and private capacities. With each hearing, the inquiry seeks to draw lessons from the UK’s handling of what has proven to be an era-defining public health crisis.
During their appearance, Drakeford and Gething revisited several issues previously addressed at Wales’ national Covid-19 inquiry in 2024. That earlier session revealed that Welsh Government ministers and officials at times had relied on WhatsApp to conduct their communications—a move that ran contrary to Senedd guidelines and raised important questions about transparency and public record-keeping. In some instances, messages were deleted, further complicating retrospective scrutiny. Notably, Mark Drakeford admitted last year: “I don’t claim we got everything right.”
The London-based inquiry has placed particular scrutiny on leadership decisions, cross-border coordination, and the robustness of the systems established to identify and isolate Covid-19 cases. Both former ministers have faced pointed questions about how Wales balanced autonomous decision-making with guidance and funding received from Westminster. Areas of differing approach among the UK nations, including lockdown timing and the scaling up of testing, have come under renewed examination.
Although the Welsh Government largely followed UK-wide public health advice, there were periods when Drakeford’s administration charted its own course, especially regarding lockdowns and the relaxation of restrictions. This has led to ongoing debate about whether greater divergence would have yielded better outcomes or further confusion.
Further complicating matters, the use of informal communication channels and the subsequent deletion of messages invoked significant controversy at the Wales-specific inquiry. Critics claim this undermined transparency and accountability, while some ministers have argued that the exceptional pressure and pace of the pandemic necessitated both speed and privacy in policy discussions. These issues have resurfaced in London, underscoring challenges in maintaining good governance during crises.
As the seventh module continues, the Covid-19 inquiry aims to draw a clearer picture of the UK’s response during the most volatile months of the pandemic. Among the public and health experts alike, there remains intense interest in not only what went wrong, but also what was done right—and how systems might be improved to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Outside the official proceedings, the testimony has reignited discussion across Wales about the importance of governmental transparency, efficient communication, and the delicate balance between urgent action and maintaining public trust. Looking ahead, the findings and recommendations of both the UK-wide and Welsh inquiries are expected to influence how future public health crises are managed, both in Wales and across the United Kingdom.
Members of the public keen to follow future developments can access ongoing updates via news outlets and join community groups designed to inform citizens of the latest breaking information. As hearings continue, the spotlight will remain on the decisions made by leaders like Drakeford and Gething, and on ensuring lessons from the pandemic are not forgotten.