What's happened
Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething is under scrutiny for allegedly deleting messages from a group chat during the pandemic. Gething warned colleagues about the implications of the Freedom of Information Act on the messages. Despite denying deleting any messages from his phone, opposition parties have accused him of potentially misleading the Covid inquiry.
Why it matters
The accusations against Vaughan Gething raise concerns about transparency and accountability within the Welsh government. The potential misleading of the Covid inquiry could have serious implications for the investigation's credibility and the public's trust in government officials. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining accurate records and upholding ethical standards in public office.
What the papers say
BBC News reported that Vaughan Gething warned colleagues about deleting messages in a group chat, citing concerns about the Freedom of Information Act. Sky News highlighted Gething's response, where he denied deleting any messages and requested the full context of the discussion to be shared with the inquiry. The contrasting reports from the two sources provide insights into the ongoing controversy surrounding Gething's actions and the differing perspectives on the matter.
How we got here
During his time as health minister, Vaughan Gething allegedly sent a message in a group chat indicating his intention to delete messages to avoid them being captured by the Freedom of Information Act. The messages were reportedly sent on a phone provided by the Senedd. The incident has sparked accusations of potential misconduct and misleading behavior, prompting further scrutiny and questions about the handling of information within the Welsh government.
Common question
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.