Documents reveal that Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf, and John Swinney manually deleted their WhatsApp messages related to Covid-19. Only Jeane Freeman provided incomplete messages. The revelations raise concerns about transparency and cooperation with the Covid inquiries.
Key Covid-19 WhatsApp messages sent by Nicola Sturgeon were manually deleted from her phone, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
“Humza Yousaf said his government would co-operate fully with the Covid inquiries, but this promise has been left in tatters.” When we put it to the ex-FM that her messages had been deleted, her spokeswoman said: “Nicola will continue to provide all information requested by the inquiry that she holds and will continue to cooperate fully with both the UK and Scottish Covid inquiries.
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He said WhatsApp and other messaging systems appeared to have been used to send messages relating to and surrounding key decisions by some members of the Scottish government. However he added that the “majority of the messages have not been retained by witnesses”. Scottish Government policy states that communications which are needed to support its “business requirements and legal obligations” should be retained, and “do not destroy” notices have been issued over Covid communications.
The UK Covid Inquiry is investigating the UK’s response to and the impact of the pandemic, with the Scottish inquiry specifically looking at decisions taken by the Scottish government. In a furious letter to Yousaf seen by the Sunday Mail, solicitor Anwar berated the Scottish Government and demanded material was handed over.
“The faith of Scottish Covid Bereaved in the process has been shattered by the Scottish Government’s response to this matter.” “The government should be answerable to the people, there must be no hiding place for those involved in decision making. No individual, no matter how powerful, can be allowed to interfere with the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability by this Inquiry.”
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