Devendra Kumar
The Scottish government is facing renewed scrutiny over its handling of WhatsApp messages during the Covid-19 pandemic, with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon under pressure to make a personal statement to the Holyrood Parliament. According to freedom of information requests, Sturgeon and several other top officials, including the current First Minister Humza Yousaf, failed to transfer any WhatsApp messages onto the government’s electronic records and document management system. The revelation has sparked widespread criticism, with Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie describing the government’s actions as a “culture of secrecy and cover-up”.
The controversy began when think tank These Islands’ Sam Taylor requested a breakdown of WhatsApp messages transferred to the electronic records and document management system by Sturgeon and other key ministers from January 2020 onwards. The Scottish government’s response was a blanket “zero” answer, which has raised questions about what Sturgeon may have been trying to hide. Sturgeon had previously given evidence to the UK’s Covid-19 Inquiry, stating that she had deleted her WhatsApp messages, but claimed that all “salient” points were placed on the corporate record.
However, with the revelation that no WhatsApp messages were transferred to the electronic records and document management system, it seems that Sturgeon’s claims of transparency were hollow. The lack of transparency has sparked concerns about what information or messages may have been lost as a result of Sturgeon’s failure to transfer them. The Scottish government has been contacted for comment, but has so far failed to respond to the allegations.
The controversy is likely to continue to dominate the headlines, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Scottish government. The lack of transparency and secrecy surrounding the WhatsApp messages has raised questions about the government’s handling of the pandemic and the decisions made during this time. The government’s failure to provide transparency has eroded trust and credibility, and it remains to be seen how they will address these concerns and regain the public’s trust.