HUMZA Yousaf once referred to the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) as a “disgrace” as he expressed frustration with its leadership during a WhatsApp message exchange, the UK Covid Inquiry has heard.
Messages from June 2020 between Yousaf and John Swinney were shown to the inquiry as the First Minister gave evidence on Thursday.
The SPF represents rank and file police in Scotland and at the time Yousaf (below) was the Scottish Government’s justice secretary.
Lead counsel to the current module of the inquiry Jamie Dawson KC read out the message exchange as it was displayed on screens at the hearing in Edinburgh.
Swinney, who at that point was deputy first minister, said: “I have just caught up with the latest insight into SPF thinking!”
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf apologises to inquiry for 'poor' handling of WhatsApp messages
Yousaf said: “Theyre (sic) a disgrace. Right through this pandemic they have shown an arrogance and retrograde thinking. Chief was livid last night.”
It came after disorder in Glasgow's George Square, when a far-right group - many of whom wanted to protect statues - appeared at a protest calling for better living conditions for refugees. The incident saw six arrests.
After the incident, the SPF suggested those on both sides were to blame.
SPF chair David Hamilton said in the aftermath: “There is no moral high ground to be claimed. Right or left; green or blue; Unionist or nationalist; statue wrecker or statue protector, your side is as guilty as the other.
"There is no hierarchy of culpability. The sad reality is that there are too many opposing factions who need no excuse to use a protest as an opportunity to cause disorder.”
On Thursday, Dawson asked Yousaf why he said the SPF was a disgrace.
The First Minister said: “I was expressing frustration in a private conversation.
“Sometimes when you are venting to a colleague you use language you regret.”
He explained that he did not always agree with the SPF leadership, who he felt were not being supportive of efforts to enforce pandemic regulations.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon called Boris Johnson a 'f***ing clown', WhatsApp messages reveal
Calum Steele, who retired as SPF general secretary last year, responded in a light-hearted manner on Twitter/X.
Calling @Neil4Scotland - should we start a support group? pic.twitter.com/O75fNb74hx
— Calum Steele (@CalumA_Steele) January 25, 2024
He tweeted at the former Labour MSP Neil Findlay – who Yousaf had referred to as an “arsehole” and a “twat” in other messages revealed by the inquiry – saying “should we start a support group?”
Findlay (above) responded: “I’ve booked on for therapy.”
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