Italy: FdI's Bignami resigns from Covid inquiry committee, urges Conte to do the same

Galeazzo Bignami, the group leader for Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, has resigned from the parliamentary committee investigating the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bignami announced his decision on Tuesday, stating it was a response to a request for him to testify within the committee's proceedings.

"Following the request made in the Covid inquiry commission to hear me as part of its work, I announce that I have just submitted my resignation as a member of the commission itself," Bignami declared. He added that his resignation removes any "incompatibility" that others might be using as a shield, thereby enabling him to address any questions the commissioners may have about matters within his knowledge.

Bignami expressed his hope that his action would serve as an example for Giuseppe Conte, the former Prime Minister and current committee member. Bignami criticized Conte for allegedly hiding behind the immunity granted by his committee membership to avoid being questioned on various issues that have recently emerged.

"I recall, for example, that I have repeatedly submitted requests for access to documents concerning the pandemic plan, the minutes of the task force, and the contracts stipulated by the commissarial structure for the supply of masks," Bignami stated. He noted that these requests led to appeals and rulings by the Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR Lazio), which upheld his demands and resulted in the Ministry of Health being condemned regarding the pandemic plan and task force minutes. These decisions subsequently led to further proceedings before the Council of State.

Bignami's resignation is seen as a move to preemptively address potential conflicts of interest and to pressure other key figures, including Conte, to be more transparent in the ongoing investigation into Italy's response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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Dando seguito alla richiesta avanzata nella commissione d'inchiesta sul Covid di audirmi nell'ambito dei lavori della stessa, comunico di aver appena provveduto a presentare le mie dimissioni da componente della commissione stessa. Dimettendomi viene a cadere l'incompatibilità di cui altri si fanno scudo, per rispondere a tutte le domande che i commissari vorranno pormi sulle vicende a me note