- Sturgeon called Johnson a “clown”
- Frustration evident in messages
- Johnson-Sturgeon relationship strained
The UK Covid Inquiry has learned that Nicola Sturgeon referred to Boris Johnson as a “clown” in an expletive-filled text conversation with her chief of staff.
The inquiry was presented with messages in which the former first minister described a Downing Street announcement regarding a second Covid closure in England as “excruciating.
Ms. Sturgeon termed Mr. Johnson’s “complete and utter incompetence” offensive.
Her former aide stated that Ms. Sturgeon’s “frustration” was evident in her language.
Ms. Sturgeon and Mr. Johnson, who served as prime minister during the pandemic, reportedly maintained a “friendly” rapport.
According to Liz Lloyd, who advised Ms. Sturgeon as her strategic adviser and chief of staff from 2015 to 2023, interaction with Mr. Johnson during the initial months of the pandemic was “pointless.”
During her testimony at the inquiry, which is presently underway in Edinburgh, she was presented with messages exchanged between herself and Ms. Sturgeon on October 31, 2020, the evening Mr. Johnson declared a new curfew for England.
Ms. Sturgeon called his national address “extremely excruciating” and British government communications “awful.”
She told Ms. Lloyd that she and politicians worldwide are appalled by his total incompetence.
After Ms. Lloyd conveyed her “offence” on behalf of all special advisers, Ms. Sturgeon said, “He is an absolute clown.”
Challenges in Government Relationships
Ms. Lloyd confirmed to the inquiry that “chaos” within the United Kingdom government prompted the conversation.
She stated that the Scottish Government was obligated to “mitigate” that. Scotland was exempt from limitations, but they altered pandemic perception north of the border.
She informed the inquiry that our remarks regarding their communications management that day were undoubtedly unfavorable.
When queried about the relationship between Ms. Sturgeon and Mr. Johnson, Ms. Lloyd responded, “I believe it is an exaggeration to say that it had completely deteriorated.”
Her words: “Politeness,” but the epidemic “became considerably more strained” their connection.
According to Ms. Lloyd, it was apparent that Mr. Johnson “did not want to be on those calls, wasn’t necessarily well briefed on those calls, and wasn’t listening to the points we were making on those calls” during discussions with devolved leaders.
She added, “I believe engagement with him became marginally futile during this time period.”
The probe found that Ms. Lloyd labelled Cobra, the UK government’s emergency response committee, a “shambles” in March 2020.
She stated that communication between the two administrations had generally improved, especially regarding health. But negotiations with the prime minister “failed to yield any results.”
Mr. Johnson was questioned regarding his relationship with Ms. Sturgeon during his December appearance before the Covid inquiry.
He stated that we have had a cordial and amicable relationship whenever I have spoken with her.
Additionally, the inquiry was informed that Ms. Lloyd conveyed to Ms. Sturgeon via WhatsApp messages her desire for a “good old-fashioned rammy” with the Government of the United Kingdom so she could “consider something other than sick people.”
Ms. Lloyd informed Ms. Sturgeon on November 1, 2020, that she had “established a timetable” for the United Kingdom government to respond to the Scottish Government regarding leave as a “purely political” move in the communications between herself and the former first minister.
Ms. Sturgeon responded, “I concur. Additionally, it may be worthwhile to attempt. I have forwarded a preliminary draft of the discourse I intend to deliver tomorrow.
The following week, Ms. Sturgeon is scheduled to provide testimony to the inquiry.
Remarkable WhatsApp controversy
Ms. Lloyd was the first Scottish Government representative to send WhatsApp communications to the inquiry in July 2023.
The announcement coincided with the admission by First Minister Humza Yousaf that there are “challenges” associated with the Government’s use of mobile messaging applications, as well as the commencement of an externally-led inquiry into the matter.
He admitted that how the Government dealt with requests for WhatsApp communications was not its “finest hour.” It had not inspired confidence in the families of the deceased.
No 2021 government mobile messaging policy proposed monthly message deletion, according to Ms. Lloyd.
The former special adviser said she would not have erased information even if she knew the protocol. She emphasized that this information could be the subject of a freedom of information request.
Last Monday, investigative counsel Jamie Dawson KC said Ms. Sturgeon “appears to have no recollection of any messages whatsoever.”
Messaging and Record-Keeping Protocol
Ms. Sturgeon stated on Sunday that the probe had discovered some of her messages from a year earlier.
Ms. Sturgeon offered a public health expert an SNP email address during a briefing paper debate, the probe found this week. She stated she could be reached “privately” in addition to her official email.
Additionally, it has come to light that National Clinical Director Jason Leitch and Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith erased WhatsApps frequently and encouraged others to do the same throughout the pandemic.
Both said they followed Scottish Government guidelines and stored decision-making records properly.
Publicated in February 2021, the Scottish Government’s records management policy stated that documents should be retained for as long as is required to satisfy its legal and business obligations.
In November 2021, mobile messaging guidance for ministers and officials stated that they were permitted to conduct business via WhatsApp and other messaging services but that “critical” points should be transcribed and stored centrally.
If “salient” points have been archived, mobile messaging apps should not keep “business conversations” for more than a month.
“Electoral manipulation of the pandemic”
A document from the cabinet outlining preparation priorities for July 2020 was also presented to the inquiry. It instructed each portfolio to prepare for the transition period and the combined effects of Covid-19 and to reach a consensus on the importance of “resuming work on independence.”
Lady Hallett, chair of the inquiry, remarked, “It does resemble the politicisation of the coronavirus pandemic, wouldn’t you say?”
For Ms. Lloyd, “at that time,” it was not her “understanding” that the Government would not politicise the matter.
Lady Hallett remarked that certain cabinet members had agreed to exploit the pandemic to promote the independence cause.
According to Ms Lloyd: “It says consideration was given to this but was not done at this time.”
