The First Minister was clearly rattled by robust questioning from Paul Davies MS – the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament – in Plenary today.
Mr Davies challenged the Welsh Labour leader over the continuing crisis in care homes, and specifically the slow turnaround time for Covid test results to come back for residents and staff, saying:
“[It is] important to know how many care homes in Wales are directly affected by Covid-19 and how many residents in Wales are so that the Welsh Labour-led Government can support care settings more effectively.”
Mr Davies also highlighted the growing concern over hospital patients who had tested positive for Covid being discharged to care homes.
Speaking later, Mr Davies – unsatisfied with deflection and evasive answers from the First Minster – said:
“It was clear to me that the First Minister was uncomfortable trying to address my questions today, direct questions that called on him to report how many people in care homes are and have been Covid positive, and what his administration is doing to manage the problem.
“But it’s no surprise he was rattled today, because he wasn’t able to answer my concerns and those of many, many people throughout the length and breadth of our country who deserve better than this.
“Direct questions demand direct responses, and the First minister and his party have a duty to do this.”