Plaid Cymru’s decision to hold a Wales Covid Review instead of a statutory inquiry marks “a profound betrayal of the trust” placed in them.

That’s according to Machynlleth’s Catherine Griffiths, and Sam Smith-Higgins, who co-lead the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group.

“Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru condemns the announcement of a non-statutory Wales Covid Review, questioning why Plaid has abandoned its long-standing promise to deliver a statutory inquiry,” they said.

“We watched with bewilderment as Dafydd Trystan Davies announced a review rather than the statutory inquiry bereaved families had been promised.

“Why establish a review that will rely on limited, publicly available evidence, when a statutory review will have access to substantial unpublished evidence held by the

UK Covid Inquiry? How can Wales uncover the truth if the review cannot access evidence it needs? As core participants in the UK Inquiry, with access to undisclosed evidence, we have more information than the Chair of the review!”

The pair spent three months working with Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, “developing a practical, proportionate proposal for a statutory inquiry, costed at £10 million and to report within 18 months”.

“Why should bereaved families now commit years of their

time to a review that, in Dafydd’s own words, will cost “some millions”, without the legal powers to compel evidence or witnesses?” they added.

“Given the option of a statutory inquiry, costing £10m, delivering in 18 months backed by families versus a non-statutory review, lasting years, costing millions without the confidence of the bereaved families, which would you choose?

“We sat in the Senedd listening to an announcement that represents a profound betrayal of the trust we placed in Plaid.

“For six years, Plaid stood alongside us calling for an inquiry. We cannot understand how those promises have been so rapidly abandoned.

“Welsh Government’s handling of the pandemic requires proper scrutiny.

“The UK inquiry had to issue multiple Section 21 notices to Welsh Government to compel the provision of evidence. Significant gaps remain in the evidence available to the public. Now we are expected to trust a review chair,

without statutory powers, can obtain information needed to establish the truth.

“We fear a review with such limited powers will leave the most important questions unanswered.

“Plaid must answer for the huge discrepancy between what they promised for six years and are proposing to deliver in government.

“Plaid have misled bereaved families in public and private. We expect integrity from our politicians, and expect them to honour their commitments to the families who trusted them.

This is not over.

“We will not participate in a non-statutory review that lacks powers to uncover the truth and deliver accountability.

“We have given years of our lives to this fight. We will not allow that commitment, credibility, or the loved ones we have lost to be let down by a process that cannot deliver what Wales needs.

“We wanted a statutory inquiry. We still do. And we will continue fighting for one.”

Welsh Government said the “review will assess whether Wales’ ability to respond to a future pandemic or national emergency has been strengthened”.