The released WhatsApp messages from the Inquiry unveiled a toxic atmosphere within Downing Street throughout the initial year of the pandemic. Johnson faced questioning regarding why Britain experienced a higher excess death rate from COVID-19 compared to many European countries.
The UK’s additional death rate stood at 126.8 per 100,000, closely aligned with Germany at 120.5 per 100,000 and France at 124.4 per 100,000. Mr Yousaf, who transitioned from health secretary to first minister, revealed to BBC Scotland News that government personnel were not instructed to delete messages to shield the administration from potential embarrassment.
In June, Mr Yousaf assured MSPs that all requested materials—WhatsApp messages, emails, Signal or Telegram messages—would be completely handed over to the Covid inquiries. Scottish Conservatives’ Covid chat probe could show how the situation was managed.
Boris Johnson provided more information about the Covid situation.
Johnson conceded that the initial pandemic lockdown was constructed on an uncertain footing, acknowledging that he took the extraordinary measure of restricting people’s freedoms without absolute confidence in the data supporting the decision. He emphasised the necessity for thorough research into the long-term repercussions of lockdowns, aiming to provide forthcoming governments with detailed insights into the benefits and drawbacks.
Johnson highlighted the imperative to address COVID-19, highlighting past inaccuracies in worst-case scenario predictions for diseases like BSE and swine flu. He pointed out the substantial disparities between projected and actual fatalities: in the 2009 swine flu pandemic, an estimated 65,000 deaths were forecasted, yet only 457 occurred. Similarly, despite alarming predictions of 136,000 deaths from mad cow disease, only 178 fatalities were recorded due to infected beef.
Scottish Conservatives’ Covid chat probe
The Scottish government informed the Inquiry of the necessity for a formal order under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 to reveal information due to privacy concerns regarding data. Yousaf indicated the awaited receipt of this order, while The Times highlighted national clinical director Jason Leitch’s daily message deletions during the pandemic. Additionally, the Scottish Daily Mail reported that chief medical officer Prof Sir Gregor Smith utilised a Whatsapp auto-delete function amid the crisis, a feature introduced by WhatsApp in November 2020, eight months after the pandemic declaration.
In response, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross raised significant concerns regarding the timing and motives behind the deletion of messages by senior government figures. He called upon Ms Sturgeon to personally address parliament about her communications, emphasising the impact on bereaved families.
A recent report reveals Scottish Conservatives’ Covid chat probe.
The Sunday Mail reported that around 70 Scottish government officials, including the former first minister, have had their pandemic communications unaccounted for, making these messages unavailable for submission to either the UK or Scottish Covid inquiries investigating the handling of the pandemic. A spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon mentioned her cooperation with both inquiries. Additionally, UK Covid inquiry documents suggested the absence of WhatsApp data from First Minister Humza Yousaf and former Deputy First Minister John Swinney. Approximately 137 WhatsApp groups were active within the Scottish government and its agencies during the Covid period. Despite this, the Scottish government asserts that formal channels govern decision-making processes and has submitted 13,000 documents about the pandemic to the UK Covid inquiry.
The Inquiry began on 28 June 2022. Its investigations are organised into Modules. Throughout these Modules, the Inquiry hears evidence from witnesses, experts and Core Participants through a series of corresponding hearings. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has been set up to explore the UK’s reaction to and effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and discover lessons for the future. The Inquiry’s work is guided by its Terms of Reference.
What is the Scottish covid inquiry all about?
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is a statutory general inquiry, which means it is set based on the Inquiries Act 2005. That Act and the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007 include various legal provisions, including conditions about Terms of Reference and abilities to summon witnesses to prove commitment and compel document production. Together, they deliver the legal framework that controls the Inquiry.
On 14 December 2021, the Deputy First Minister declared that the Honourable Lady Poole would chair the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. The Inquiry’s initial Terms of Reference were also issued after a consultation. The official set-up date for the Inquiry was 28 February 2022. On 27 October 2022, the Deputy First Minister reported that the Honourable Lord Brailsford would chair the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry after the resignation of Lady Poole for personal reasons on 30 September 2022.
Time will answer the questions
A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed the UK Covid-19 Inquiry had asked for “WhatsApp messages relating to logistics and day-to-day communication, which, of course, we will provide”. They added that “given the level of personal information contained within, we need a legal basis to do so, for example, in the form of a section 21 order”. They continued: “The UK inquiry indicated at this morning’s hearing that it will issue us the requisite legal paperwork to share those messages shortly.
Several questions were raised about whether officials utilised the disappearing message function on WhatsApp, which automatically deletes messages after 24 hours, one week or 90 days, depending on user preference. The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry examines the devolved strategic answer to the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022. The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has been set up to set the facts and learn the studies of the strategic devolved reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.
