Academic research into the Scottish Government's preparations for the coronavirus pandemic specifically suggested the Covid inquiry request ministerial WhatsApps. Both the Scottish and UK inquiries are embroiled in a row over the release of messages between ministers and officials. Jeane Freeman, who was health secretary at the start of the outbreak in 2020, told BBC Scotland on Sunday: "Nobody's asked for these WhatsApps yet from the Scottish Inquiry, so therefore nobody's refused." 'Over 9,000 documents already handed over'Questions about the former first minister's missing WhatsApps emerged at a preliminary hearing of the UK inquiry in London on Tuesday. Fiona Drysdale, acting for the Scottish Government, told inquiry chair Lady Hallett that "over 9,000 documents" had already been disclosed.

Source: Express June 08, 2023 23:18 UTC