Nicola Sturgeon emotional as she is grilled at Covid inquiry
Nicola Sturgeon has been reported to police over claims she lied to the Covid inquiry about WhatsApp messages.
The former Scottish first minister admitted deleting WhatsApps from the pandemic when she gave evidence to the inquiry last month.
She said the move was in line with official advice and all "salient" points were placed on the corporate record.
But a Freedom of Information (FOI) request this week showed "zero" WhatsApp messages were transferred to the electronic records and document management (eRDM) system by the former SNP leader.
A member of the public has now complained to the Metropolitan Police and is calling for a probe, the Sunday Mail reports.
Trending
The online complaint states: “Giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry when it sat in Edinburgh last month, Ms Sturgeon confirmed she had deleted her WhatsApp messages though she stressed this was in line with official advice and she said all salient points were placed on the corporate record.
"However it has been revealed by FOI that she did not transfer any messages to be placed on the corporate record.
“This can mean nothing other than Ms Sturgeon lied whilst under oath at the UK Covid-19 inquiry when giving evidence on January 31, 2024 – this is an offence that should be investigated.”
The Scottish Conservatives urged the former SNP leader to make a statement to Holyrood over the WhatsApp messages.
Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said: “This very serious complaint highlights just how concerned and angry many Scots are about the actions of the former First Minister – and how desperate they are for answers.
“Despite promising ‘transparency’, Nicola Sturgeon engaged in the mass deletion of her WhatsApp messages, despite having promised to make them public and her credibility now lies in ruins.
“She should now commit to a full statement to parliament on this scandalous situation.
"If she remains unwilling to share the truth about her government’s decision-making during the pandemic, grieving families will be left with no other choice but to escalate the situation to get the answers they deserve.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rishi Sunak speaks well but needs to make one big change if he wants to beat Keir Starmer
18 Comments
Andrew Neil blasts Humza Yousaf in three-word takedown as SNP leader jets off to Qatar
191 Comments
Our latest poll suggests Tory plots against Rishi Sunak are doomed
12 Comments
Tory turmoil for Rishi Sunak as 66-year-olds are now Conservatives' youngest voters
131 Comments
'Not fit to lead Britain!' Penny Mordaunt rips into Keir Starmer in furious Commons attack
1341 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
51 Comments
Labour told to drop ‘Get Kemi Badenoch' operation after PMQs hounding
273 Comments
Sir Lindsay Hoyle clinging to job as dozens of MPs lose confidence in Speaker after chaos
262 Comments
‘I absolutely didn't threaten him': Keir Starmer dodges crucial question after Commons row
439 Comments
Campaigners warn not to believe Labour triple lock pledge until it's in black and white
76 Comments
Rishi Sunak beats Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson among Tory voters in best leader poll
217 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen appears to rule out working with right-wing groups elected to EU
172 Comments
Did Rishi Sunak throw Kemi Badenoch under the bus in escalating Post Office row?
75 Comments
Johnny Mercer refuses to give up names to Afghanistan murder inquiry
66 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon under fire over new 'eye-opening' revelation on Covid WhatsApps
129 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation was followed by collapse in SNP support, says pollster
125 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon downfall triggers exodus of SNP supporters in crisis for Humza Yousaf
74 Comments
Keir Starmer referred to top parliamentary ethics watchdog by MP over Speaker-gate
1139 Comments
Fury as SNP uses mini embassy in Brussels to pitch independent Scotland as EU member
1067 Comments
As hard as it is to believe Rishi Sunak will survive and could win the general election
169 Comments
Rishi Sunak speaks well but needs to make one big change if he wants to beat Keir Starmer
18 Comments
Andrew Neil blasts Humza Yousaf in three-word takedown as SNP leader jets off to Qatar
191 Comments
Our latest poll suggests Tory plots against Rishi Sunak are doomed
12 Comments
Tory turmoil for Rishi Sunak as 66-year-olds are now Conservatives' youngest voters
131 Comments
'Not fit to lead Britain!' Penny Mordaunt rips into Keir Starmer in furious Commons attack
1341 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
51 Comments
Labour told to drop ‘Get Kemi Badenoch' operation after PMQs hounding
273 Comments
Sir Lindsay Hoyle clinging to job as dozens of MPs lose confidence in Speaker after chaos
262 Comments
‘I absolutely didn't threaten him': Keir Starmer dodges crucial question after Commons row
439 Comments
Campaigners warn not to believe Labour triple lock pledge until it's in black and white
76 Comments
Rishi Sunak beats Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson among Tory voters in best leader poll
217 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen appears to rule out working with right-wing groups elected to EU
172 Comments
Did Rishi Sunak throw Kemi Badenoch under the bus in escalating Post Office row?
75 Comments
Johnny Mercer refuses to give up names to Afghanistan murder inquiry
66 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon under fire over new 'eye-opening' revelation on Covid WhatsApps
129 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation was followed by collapse in SNP support, says pollster
125 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon downfall triggers exodus of SNP supporters in crisis for Humza Yousaf
74 Comments
Keir Starmer referred to top parliamentary ethics watchdog by MP over Speaker-gate
1139 Comments
Fury as SNP uses mini embassy in Brussels to pitch independent Scotland as EU member
1067 Comments
As hard as it is to believe Rishi Sunak will survive and could win the general election
169 Comments
Rishi Sunak speaks well but needs to make one big change if he wants to beat Keir Starmer
18 Comments
Andrew Neil blasts Humza Yousaf in three-word takedown as SNP leader jets off to Qatar
191 Comments
Our latest poll suggests Tory plots against Rishi Sunak are doomed
12 Comments
Tory turmoil for Rishi Sunak as 66-year-olds are now Conservatives' youngest voters
131 Comments
'Not fit to lead Britain!' Penny Mordaunt rips into Keir Starmer in furious Commons attack
1341 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
51 Comments
Labour told to drop ‘Get Kemi Badenoch' operation after PMQs hounding
273 Comments
A spokeswoman for Ms Sturgeon said: “The obligation is to ensure that any salient points from messages are recorded on the corporate record. This was done.
"The fact that the messages themselves are not held does not mean that relevant or salient information within them was not properly recorded.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had received the complaint.
Related articles Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up' Nicola Sturgeon savaged over Covid tears: 'Didn't believe it for a minute!' Nicola Sturgeon under fire over 'eye-opening' revelation on Covid WhatsApps Sturgeon downfall triggers exodus of SNP supporters in crisis for Yousaf
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial