Douglas Ross blasts SNP 'stench of secrecy' over deleted WhatsApp messages

At Holyrood today Douglas Ross challenged the Deputy First Minister over Nicola Sturgeon manually deleting her WhatsApp messages saying: 'The stench of secrecy from this government is overpowering.'

Shona Robison has said she is not able to provide details on what has or has not been provided to the Covid inquiries.

Making a statement in Holyrood, Ms Robison said it was for the inquiries to decide what should be published, in the wake of a row over the potential deletion of WhatsApp messages – including reports that Nicola Sturgeon messages may not have been retained.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has sent a Section 21 notice to the Scottish Government, requiring them to hand over informal communications such as WhatsApp messages, the Deputy First Minister has said.

Shona Robison told MSPs that work was under way to provide the inquiry with the messages now that the order has been received and “advice” has been sought on whether deleted materials can be recovered.

“The Scottish Government received this Section 21 notice yesterday, and I can confirm that work is well under way to fully comply in accordance with the timetable set by the UK Inquiry,” she said. “This will mean that all requested messages held will be shared, in full and unredacted, by 6 November.

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[leslieashton]

Treating the entire country with contempt, a disgrace to the nation.

[Carrera-gpod]

This ‘parliament’ is nothing more than a glorified local council meeting .
A cringe fest from day one, close it down now !

[robbieorourke]

They are despicable, the SNP trashed these messages because there was incriminating evidence, they should all be individually charged with contempt of why the hell cannot the Scottish people see this stuff for what it is!! Lies, Lies and more Lies!!! Money gone missing, motorhomes, billions wasted!

[stewartwallwork]

Useless done a runner?As ever the question avoided

[report-all-potholes-and-ro]

I'm surprised Sturgeon has the nerve to show her face in parliament.

[davidgrimmett]

Hardly anybody in the chamber. Just shows how much they cara!

[stephencollins]

treachery would be a far more accurate description.

[wotdoesthisbuttondo]

Even the camera operator is helping Sturgeon stay secretive by avoiding showing her reaction when twice referred to.

[DamoKav-bv]

Shocking - a good argument against devolution.

[vtechead]

There has been a stench hanging over the SNPs running of Scotland for years.

[jeremydyke]

Another Snat who can only come up with "Ah Dont Noo" when asked a challenging question!

[alexd]

Can’t listen to this woman. Nothing in Government between MSP’s should be secret and confidential. They are supposed to be running the country together for the better.
Useless in their performance.

[raybede]

Where would these no hoper SNP ministers be without notice of a question so they can blurt out what some one else has written. Constant obfuscation that is all we get.

[philiphughes]

Where's the £600K Krankie. Down your drawers?

[jimoconnor]

Have they found the missing money yet ?

[sandraharris]

Not a fan of Douglas ross but get ripped into they evil mutants

[grahamstephenson]

Paul Daniels could make things vanish, but he's not a patch on this magic circle.

[rolandfry]

she did not answer she waffled as usual

[daveclarky]

How do we know that the "so i want a coffee" message is code for something else???

[andrewmacaulay]

NEVER HAS MAN ? WENT THROUGH ? SO MUCH ? FOR SO LITTLE 😂😂😂😂😂