During the Covid-19 crisis, leaks from the Stormont Executive to the media were highly prevalent, so much so it was felt that there was an ongoing live update on social channels, a public inquiry has been told.
Robin Swann, the health minister during the epidemic, highlighted that one of his main grievances was the dissemination of Executive documents on the virus precautions. He voiced concerns that correspondence was intentionally leaked to the press late in the evening ahead of high-level ministerial meetings to shape a story; this was to either back up or mostly contradict the impending recommendations.
Swann, a member of the Ulster Unionist, shared his account on Monday at the Belfast examination, marking the third and concluding week of the nationwide review into the government’s response to the pandemic.
Post explaining the disruptive impact of leaks happening in real-time, Swann was questioned by the inquiry’s chair, Baroness Hallet, if there were any thoughts about prohibiting personal gadgets during confidential Executive gatherings. He responded that although many efforts were made, the remote setting of meetings via Zoom presented notable challenges.
He recounted attempts made by the civil service head to have ministers keep their cameras on throughout the meetings, not just while speaking. Despite an investigation into the leaks led by a senior administrator at the Finance Department in 2020, there were no concrete findings, according to Swann.
He stated, “It became such a deliberate act to the point that it was more easily accepted than questioned.” He explained that it often felt like real-time updates were being sourced from the Executive, especially concerning the tougher, more assertive decisions being taken, thereby giving a live commentary on Twitter.
The inquiry also brought to light concerns about Stormont’s readiness for the pandemic after findings revealed that the civil contingency planning for matters short of war hadn’t undergone review for over two decades. The inquiry’s lead counsel Clair Dobbin queried Swann if being the sole minister from his party had any effect.
Mr Swann, appointed in January 2020 amid the restoration of powersharing following a three-year break, acknowledged the isolation and difficulty of his role. However, he also highlighted the advantage of not being accountable to fellow party politicians.
“Serving as the only minister permitted me to bypass some of the constitutional hurdles plaguing the two major parties, which at times seemed highly confrontational, particularly concerning their ultimate goals,” he stated.
Sinn Féin monitored the events in the Republic of Ireland, whilst the DUP’s focus was on the happenings in Westminster, he noted.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill is scheduled to provide her testimony on Tuesday, and Arlene Foster, her former Executive Office companion, is set to make her appearance on Wednesday.
It is anticipated that questions will be posed to Ms O’Neill about her presence at the disputed funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey in 2020, which sparked significant political controversy.
Ms O’Neill served in the capacity of deputy first minister from January 2020 until February 2022. Meanwhile, Ms Foster’s tenure as first minister spanned from January 2020 to June 2021.
The investigation is expected to wrap up this Thursday.