BOMBSHELL evidence at the UK Covid inquiry shows SNP ministers “sought to make political capital” from the Covid crisis, a leading public policy academic said.
Professor James Mitchell’s verdict came after WhatsApp messages emerged including Nicola Sturgeon and her top aide discussing sparking a “rammy” with the UK Government over furlough in 2020.
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And foul-mouthed exchanges in messages between First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Government national clinical director Jason Leitch showed the pair slagging off MSPs.
Edinburgh University’s Prof Mitchell told how much of the commentary on the UK Covid probe’s first Scottish stint had focused on “course language” used by Mr Yousaf and predecessor Ms Sturgeon – who branded Boris Johnson a “f***ing clown” in one text.
But he told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “Few of us can claim not to use such language, especially under pressure. There are more important and far more worrying revelations.
“At a time of national and international emergency, when party political battles should have been suspended, the SNP sought to make political capital out of the crisis.
“This involved seeking to manufacture or exaggerate differences with London. There were also outlandish and absurd claims that Scotland was doing so much better than the rest of the UK.
“At a time when sharing and pulling together was essential, we see that the SNP Government indulged in crass, competitive game playing.”
Prof Mitchell also said there was a “tendency to hear only what suited the Scottish Government”, with views casting doubt on Ms Sturgeon’s bid to “eliminate” Covid being “marginalised”.
He said: “The evidence from the enquiry highlights features of the Sturgeon years. The tight, closed pool of advice and decision-makers with far too much emphasis on presentation speaks of a government that got its priorities wrong.”
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Ms Sturgeon is due to give evidence of the iniquity in Wednesday.
