During the pandemic, John Swinney and other SNP Ministers faced criticism for wiping WhatsApp records ahead of the inquiry, prompting concerns that the same thing could have happened with key communications relating to the QEUH.
Scottish Labour deputy leader and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, pictured right, has asked John Swinney to “confirm that steps have been taken to preserve all records, including those held on personal devices” across the Scottish Government.
See full text of letter here:
John, I am writing again further to my previous letter regarding the scandal at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), to which I have received no reply. Given the seriousness of this matter, I consider the lack of response to be unacceptable. This concerns patient safety, the treatment of families, and public confidence in how the Scottish Government has handled events at the QEUH.
I also note the previous scandal involving the deletion of vital messages linked to the handling of the pandemic, in which you were identified as a ring leader among SNP ministers who deleted key communications. In light of that, I am asking you directly to give a clear pledge that neither you, nor any SNP ministers, special advisers, or civil servants have deleted WhatsApp messages or other electronic communications relating to the QEUH scandal. This must include messages held on personal or private phones. I also repeat my request for full disclosure and preservation of all communications connected to QEUH, including:
- internal Scottish Government communications
- communications between the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- communications between the Scottish Government and external individuals or organisations
- messages on all platforms, including email, WhatsApp, text messages, Signal, iMessage, or any other messaging service used in an official capacity.
Please confirm that steps have been taken to preserve all records, including those held on personal devices. Sincerely, Jackie Baillie MSP