CAMPAIGNERS pushing for a Wales-only, independent Covid-19 inquiry are “drained and frustrated” after a second meeting with the First Minister.

Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group met with First Minister Mark Drakeford, on 2 December, to discuss the need for an independent, Wales-only, inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.

This followed on from their first meeting with the First Minister on 7 October, and an open forum with Senedd members on 3 November.

Machynlleth campaigner Catherine Griffiths has been a part of the campaign since joining the Facebook group, Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, in summer this year, after her father sadly died from Covid-19 in MHA Hafan y Waun Care Home, Aberystwyth.

While Catherine was one of the five campaigners that met with the First Minister in October, she was unable to attend the December meeting.

In a statement on Twitter, the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group said: “Today we met with First Minister Mark Drakeford to again ask for a Covid-19 Inquiry in Wales.

“We are drained and frustrated. We shouldn’t have to keep doing this. But 6,412 people drive us on.”

Catherine said the First Minister is still waiting for information on who will be the chair of the UK-wide Covid-19 inquiry, as well as the terms of reference.

“We’re quite encouraged that we’re going to have another meeting with him in January, the dialogue is still open,” Catherine said.

“We’re looking forward to this meeting, the December meeting was positive and encouraging. We’re still hopeful for an all-Wales inquiry.”

Speaking to the Cambrian News in October, Catherine said the group feared Wales “would be a mere footnote” in a UK-wide inquiry, and that the country may “miss out on the in depth scrutiny required to change policy and to step up protocols in pandemic preparation”.

Catherine’s father, Harry Griffiths, sadly died in November 2020, after more than half of Hafan y Waun residents were infected with Covid-19.

In October this year, Hafan y Waun said they would “welcome a public inquiry in Wales” but the home would not be investigating how the virus entered the premises as this would be “exceptionally difficult to pinpoint”.

So far 1,868 people have signed a petition calling for an inquiry, which can be found at www.petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/244942.