As his term nears end, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford backs the life-saving 20mph speed limit and explains missing text messages during the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, attributing it to outdated policies and his limited tech use.
Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, has defended the introduction of a 20mph speed limit, emphasizing its potential to save lives, including those of children, despite facing backlash. As he approaches the end of his term, Drakeford highlighted the necessity of making tough decisions for the betterment of future generations, reflecting on his experience steering the country through the Covid-19 pandemic with a focus on reasonable rather than perfect choices. Looking forward to his departure, he expressed a desire to delve into topics of interest more deeply and acknowledged the support that motivated him, notwithstanding criticism.
In a separate matter, Drakeford encountered scrutiny during the UK Covid-19 Inquiry for missing text messages from his Senedd-issued mobile phone, spanning from July 2018 to March 2021. He attributed the gap to his limited understanding of message storage and infrequent use of messaging apps like WhatsApp. Drakeford pointed out the outdated Welsh Government policies on informal communication methods, which he believes were not suited for managing a crisis. He insisted that any message deletions were unlikely made to evade scrutiny, underlining the importance of transparency, especially in light of the inquiry into government communication practices during the pandemic.
