URGENT UPDATE: The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has just revealed that former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s “gold command” meetings significantly reduced transparency in the government’s decision-making during the pandemic. The report indicates that Sturgeon and a select group of ministers made critical decisions away from the formal Cabinet, leaving a lack of documentation that obscured the discussions.
In a decisive finding, the inquiry states that these informal meetings diminished the Scottish Cabinet’s role, transforming it into a mere decision-ratifying body. Without proper meeting minutes, the nature of discussions held during these gatherings remains unclear, raising questions about accountability during a time of crisis.
The inquiry specifically criticized the decision-making process surrounding the closure of schools. On March 17, 2020, the Cabinet agreed to consider the implications of closing schools, but shortly after, Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney decided to proceed with the closure, sidelining the rest of the Cabinet. This crucial choice was made without broader input, which the report deems inadequate given the urgent circumstances.
“The Cabinet should have been sufficiently agile and engaged to play its central role in decision-making and not be sidelined in this way,” the inquiry reported, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach.
In response to the findings, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes addressed the Scottish Parliament, expressing her condolences to families affected by the pandemic. “As this report publishes, my thoughts turn to the many families across Scotland who lost loved ones during the pandemic,” Forbes said. She acknowledged the necessity of learning from past decisions and emphasized the government’s commitment to enhance transparency in future crises.
Forbes stated, “During the pandemic, the Scottish Government’s foremost priority was to protect the public from Covid-19,” while admitting that some decisions made under pressure may not have been the best. She highlighted the importance of using lessons learned from Covid-19 to inform future pandemic responses.
The inquiry’s revelations provoke urgent questions about the governance and decision-making processes within Scotland’s leadership during a critical time. As the Scottish Government pledges to reflect on these findings, the implications for future public health strategies remain to be seen.
Stay tuned for further developments as the situation continues to unfold.
