SCOTTISH Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has slammed Rishi Sunak’s comments that "empowering scientists” during the pandemic was a mistake as “desperate Trumpism”.
In an interview with The Spectator, the former chancellor said the UK Government “shouldn’t have empowered scientists in the way we did”.
Posting on his Twitter, Yousaf said he was staying away from the leadership contest but that Sunak’s comments needed to be addressed.
He said: “Have stayed out of circus that is Tory Leadership contest but this needs called out. Such desperate Trumpism from Sunak.
Have stayed out of circus that is Tory Leadership contest but this needs called out. Such desperate Trumpism from Sunak. If we ignored experts and let Covid rip through our communities, before a single vaccine was administered thousands more would be mourning in Scotland alone. https://t.co/eQ4bDSH5Gl
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) August 25, 2022
“If we ignored experts and let Covid rip through our communities, before a single vaccine was administered, thousands more would be mourning in Scotland alone.”
The Tory leadership hopeful said he felt “trade-offs” should have been acknowledged from the beginning, stating he felt concerns he raised about education and missed doctors appointments were not dealt with at UK Government meetings.
Sunak said that empowering outside academics leaves you “screwed”.
Yousaf continued: “While clinicians advised us, Govts were free to make the policy decisions we did.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak says scientists had too much influence during pandemic
“Every Govt Minister should be grateful to our scientists & clinicians, not be attempting to throw them under the bus in a desperate attempt to win over those on the fringes.”
Yousaf then tweeted a link to a WHO-led paper which estimated that the vaccine programme in Scotland helped prevent over 27,500 deaths.
The Health Secretary isn’t the only one to criticise Sunak, with former health secretary Jeane Freeman also calling out the top Tory for his comments.
Writing on Twitter, Freeman (below) said: “Well finally the truth will out. Sunak 'SAGE had too much influence…' Oh yes, why let experts guide you.
“Who needs epidemiologists, behavioural scientists, clinicians, global research experts to explain & advise on a pandemic on a scale we’ve never faced.”
Freeman continued: “Experts? No, let the guy who knows zip about it have his way. Thing is though, in that UK Government he was not the 'lone voice' he claims.
“But in desperation for power, the dog whistle leads. Pfft.”
Sunak is still engaged in the Tory leadership race where he and Liz Truss are battling it out to convince Conservative members who should succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister.
The Sunak leadership campaign has been approached for comment.
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