There is a little that I as a Member or individual can add to this debate, so if I may, Llywydd, I wish to take this opportunity to share the story of my constituent, Robert Leyland. Robert, known to his family and friends as Bob, was one of many who, sadly, died during the pandemic, not due to COVID, but due to a host of failures within the governance of our health service. Bob's wife of 23 years, Jacqueline, first wrote to me some weeks ago, describing the heartbreaking sequence of events that led to her husband's death. She gave me permission to share Bob's story with you today.

Bob was the bravest, strongest, most resilient person she had ever known. A community volunteer, Bob leaves behind not only Jacqueline, but his two daughters also. Like so many, however, he was let down by the very system that was meant to care for him. In the months that led up to his death, Bob experienced a whole host of respiratory problems. Yet he was only granted one—just one—telephone consultation with a respiratory consultant. A face-to-face appointment scheduled for April of this year was cancelled, with another telephone appointment arranged. Yet he never received that call, with no explanation why. As Bob's condition continued to rapidly deteriorate, it was his wife who fought for him to be admitted to hospital. Bob had lost four stone in weight, he was left unable to walk, and needed an oxygen supply in order to breathe. Six days later, he died. His primary cause of death was stated as pulmonary fibrosis. Yet, as his wife points out, he had not been examined by a respiratory consultant. Perhaps if Bob had been examined by a specialist, then he may have received an efficient and effective treatment plan, his wife would not be widowed and his children would still have a father.

Sadly, Bob's story is like so many others. The decisions that led to his death were not made by the dedicated staff who worked around the clock to care for him; they were decisions made by the Welsh Government and their officials, and there must be accountability for these decisions. That's why a dedicated Welsh public inquiry, where the Welsh Government can be held to account for their decisions, both good and bad, is so important. As with every Government throughout the pandemic, difficult decisions were made, some mistakenly, and consequently lives were lost. So, I really do plead, for Bob, for his widow Jacqueline and their family, and for the many families across Wales who lost loved ones, that they are given the opportunity that a Welsh COVID inquiry would afford them to share their testimony and to get the answers they deserve.

I will end by quoting Jacqueline directly from her letter:

'It is only right and fair that the plight of the people who sadly lost their lives during the pandemic, due to systemic failings, is highlighted and that justice is sought. I wish you well in your campaign for a much-needed public inquiry.'

I urge Members to support the motion.