Written question WQ88446
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- First Minister
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
How much public money has been spent to date by the Welsh Government obtaining legal advice and/or specialist assistance to the First Minister and the former Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, in relation to the COVID-19 public inquiry?
Answer
Answered by First Minister (Mark Drakeford)
Since the announcement of the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry in summer 2021, the Welsh Government has been working with witnesses to provide statements and evidence to the inquiry. Witnesses are supported by a combination of Welsh Government staff and lawyers and external legal advice. It is not possible to disaggregate costs per witness.
The cost of obtaining external legal advice for all Welsh Government witnesses are set out below:
External Counsel costs 2021-22: £26,581
External Counsel costs 2022-23: £947,685
External Counsel costs 2023-24: £85,658 (as at 31 May)