- Swinney deleted Sturgeon texts
- Followed government record policy
- Cabinet ethos questioned
The former Deputy First Minister of Scotland testified before the UK Covid inquiry that he manually deleted messages sent to Nicola Sturgeon during the pandemic.
John Swinney stated that the texts involving the former Prime Minister were “not accessible.”
According to the SNP MSP, they were deleted by the policy regarding government records in Scotland.
Additionally, Mr Swinney refuted the notion that Scottish cabinet meetings were “motivated” by the “resoluteness” of Ms Sturgeon.
This followed remarks by former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. She expressed astonishment that no minutes of high-level meetings held during the Covid crisis were recorded.
Until May 2021, Mr Swinney held the positions of Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary. Following a reorganisation, he vacated the latter role to become Covid Recovery Secretary.
He left his position as head of state in March 2023.
The inquiry had already been informed that none of his WhatsApp or “similar messages” had been retained.
A document submitted in response to the inquiry said the texts were manually or automatically deleted.
Former Deputy First Minister the inquiry that he and Ms Sturgeon rarely texted or otherwise communicated.
He mentioned that messages were typically used to schedule phone calls.
Mr Swinney told the inquiry that he “deleted material after ensuring that all relevant information was included in the official government record; this was the practice recommended to me upon entering government in 2007.”
He said this method was “consistent” with the ministerial code and had never been “questioned” in his government career.
The former Deputy First Minister acknowledged a “possibility” that not all information required for the investigation would be retained.
He stated he would “absolutely” apologise if he had “erroneously” interpreted the policy on managing government records.
Mr Swinney stated, “My sole purpose was to ensure that the official record always contained all necessary information.”
The epidemic inquiry acquired 18 pages of WhatsApp discussions between Mr. Swinney and First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Cabinet Tensions and Deleted Messages
After Mr. Swinney removed his communications, they were found in Mr. Yousaf’s old phone.
Mr Swinney added that they would be deleted via periodic deletion once he was satisfied that he had provided his private office with all relevant information to avoid being confronted with many messages that he might need to delete immediately.
The inquiry also showed communications between National Clinical Director Jason Leitch and then-Health Secretary Mr Yousaf dated 14 December 2021, following cabinet discussions.
Unexpectedly, Mr Yousaf suggested at the meeting that he might be able to reallocate £100 million from the health budget to support businesses as the government contemplated another lockdown.
Mr Yousaf informed Mr Leitch that Ms Sturgeon was “ranting” and handed him “one hell of a bullet”.
Mr Leitch said that Ms Sturgeon’s behaviour was “completely and utterly absurd” and that he “nearly intervened.”
Jamie Dawson KC warned Mr Swinney that Ms Sturgeon’s “resoluteness” harmed the Scottish government. Challenging her was considered to be taking a bullet.”
Mr Swinney responded, “No, because I believe the First Minister was somewhat taken aback that morning regarding the health portfolio’s ability to transfer £100 million to business support.
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“During the ten years that I oversaw Scotland’s public finances, the Health Secretary never made a reciprocal offer of £100 million.”
He insisted that “open and thorough discussions” occurred within the cabinet.
Ms. Forbes wrote that she had “never seen the FM so irate in all my cabinets, for a good reason.” about the cabinet meeting.
She informed the committee that although “surprises” were not generally appreciated in the cabinet, Mr Yousaf had endeavoured to be “helpful” and had not sought to “undermine the process.”
The inquiry heard Nicola Sturgeon call Boris Johnson a ‘clown’
