THE First Minister is urging the UK’s central and devolved governments to pledge to a public inquiry into the handling of the Covid pandemic, to be underway by the end of the year.
Nicola Sturgeon has already committed to establishing an inquiry in Scotland on that timescale.
However, she believes that due to the nature of the issue it would also be beneficial for a public inquiry with a four nations focus.
In response to the issue, the First Minister said: “I am committed to establishing in Scotland a judge-led public inquiry to examine all aspects of our handling of the pandemic - including the situation in our care homes - and to have this underway before the end of this year.
"This will happen in Scotland whether or not it happens in other parts of the UK.
“However, there is no doubt it would be beneficial to have an inquiry that could look across the four nations as well as at specific issues within each nation - this would help provide answers to families, businesses and all those who have made sacrifices over the last year.
“I hope all government across the UK will join me in committing to a full public inquiry starting later this year."
The SNP manifesto, which was launched on Thursday, also states: "As we start to look to the future it is vital that we learn from and reflect on our experience.
"To do this, we will commission a statutory, person-centred and human rights-based public inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: No new deaths and 211 positive cases recorded
“We will make sure the voices of families who have lost loved ones are heard as part of establishing the inquiry and that they have an active role in the process.
“We will begin to take the necessary steps to establish the public inquiry as soon as possible after the election. "
Sturgeon later clarified a BBC Scotland headline posted to Twitter about an interview she did with the broadcaster's political editor, Glenn Campbell, where she outlines the need for a four nations approach to an inquiry.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says 'lax' UK travel rules must not risk Covid-19 progress
BBC Scotland News tweeted: “Nicola Sturgeon says the way elderly people were discharged from hospital to care homes in the early stages of the pandemic was a mistake.”
To which Sturgeon responded: “What I said is that with the benefit of knowledge we have now (but did not have then), it was a mistake.
“But too many people in care homes died and we must be candid about that.
“I hope the other UK govts will join me in committing to a full public inquiry starting later this year.”
What I said is that with the benefit of knowledge we have now (but did not have then), it was a mistake. But too many people in care homes died and we must be candid about that. I hope the other UK govts will join me in committing to a full public inquiry starting later this year https://t.co/QS2oxuK5Do
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 18, 2021
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel