The UK Covid inquiry in Scotland has cast a spotlight on the alleged subversion of the Freedom of Information Act, with the Information Commissioner stating that some of the released WhatsApp conversations 'beggars belief'. Scotland’s chief medical officer Sir Gregor Smith reportedly advised daily deletion of messages, claiming compliance with records management policy. Prof Jason Leitch was seen giving evidence, and was also noted in WhatsApp messages advising then Health Secretary Humza Yousaf on ways to 'subvert the spirit (at least) of Covid/mask rules', as pointed out by Jamie Dawson KC, suggesting the use of a drink to avoid mask-wearing during a 2021 dinner.
“This is an exchange again, from WhatsApp messages, that you did not provide, which involve you.” Jamie Dawson KC to Jason Leitch, at @covidinquiryuk this morning. https://t.co/Ng0qiPHHEK
Jason Leitch advising Humza Yousaf (then health sec) of how to get around Covid mask rules. https://t.co/8h4wlh8kxo
Scot Gov national clinical director Jason Leitch advising then Health Sec & now First Minister Humza Yousaf how to subvert spirit (at least) of Covid/mask rules: "Have a drink in your hands at ALL times.Then you're exempt. So if someone comes over and you stand,lift your drink" https://t.co/OGbxyCQgcc
Prof Jason Leitch advising @HumzaYousaf how to get round the Covid rules banning people standing and talking without a mask during a dinner in 2021. Jamie Dawson KC asks how ordinary people were supposed to understand the rules if the then Health Secretary didn’t https://t.co/ynPn1kkkH3
This debate about deleted WhatsApp messages from the #covidenquiry is absurd: we do not record all conversations between politicians and decision-makers - there should be no expectation of public scrutiny of conversations, and WhatsApp is no different to a telephone call
Prof Jason Leitch gives evidence to UK Covid inquiry Follow full coverage on our LIVE page here ➡️ https://t.co/eToohTPZwQ https://t.co/79ieOc8Fua
Scotland’s chief medical officer Sir Gregor Smith also advised colleagues to delete messages everyday, @covidinquiryuk hears. He argues they were dealt with in line with the Scottish Government’s records management policy https://t.co/VPTyYnJ3DB
Covid Inquiry: Watchdog concern over deleted WhatsApps https://t.co/Wk6bQ9glbJ
UK Covid inquiry resumes hearings in Scotland Follow full coverage on our LIVE page here ➡️ https://t.co/emgIlaI7RH https://t.co/qQ68wPAgcv
Scotland’s Information Commissioner on issue of covid WhatsApps: tells #bbcgms “It appears that the principles of The Freedom of information act appear to have been subverted by some of the conversations that have been released” Says some of the info released “beggars belief”