Humza Yousaf called one of Scotland’s most senior lawyers a “Tory f---wit”, his WhatsApp messages reveal.

       The former first minister apologised for the language he used to describe Roddy Dunlop KC, who is dean of the Faculty of Advocates.

       The message was unearthed in a tranche of WhatsApp messages sent during the pandemic obtained by a member of the public in response to a Freedom of Information request.

       Advertisement

       They include exchanges between Mr Yousaf and Jason Leitch, who was the Scottish Government’s national clinical director until earlier this year, which have not previously been made public.

       At 10.50pm on May 31, 2021, Mr Yousaf, then the health secretary, wrote to Mr Leitch: “Dunlop is a Tory f---wit. Remember Twitter isn’t real life!”

       The reason for the attack is not clear in the documents due to redactions, but earlier that day Mr Dunlop had been critical of comments made by Mr Leitch to the BBC.

       The lawyer highlighted what he saw as inconsistencies in lockdown rules, as thousands of football fans were allowed to gather in a fan zone while the hospitality industry faced harsh restrictions.

       Mr Dunlop said on Tuesday that he found Mr Yousaf’s attack on him “quite amusing” and had not taken offence.

       He told The Scotsman that Mr Yousaf had called him to apologise after his comment became public, which he had accepted.

       Writing on X Mr Dunlop said: “Does anyone know where I can get a T shirt printed with my new moniker?”

       A spokesman for Mr Yousaf said: “The emergency phase of Covid, in particular, was a stressful, emotive and high-pressured time for everyone.

       “These messages were intended to be private communications between two colleagues.

       “Notwithstanding this, Humza regrets the language used, particularly given the professional and personal respect he has for Roddy Dunlop KC.”

       Other messages previously released by the UK Covid Inquiry show that Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson a “f---ing clown” in private messages with Liz Loyd, her chief of staff.

       While Ms Sturgeon had controversially wiped her messages, some of them were retained by Ms Lloyd and handed to the inquiry.

       They also showed how the SNP was keen for a public spat with the UK Government at the height of the pandemic, despite senior figures previously insisting they had not sought to politicise the crisis.

       Ms Sturgeon wrote on Oct 31, 2020, as Mr Johnson was announcing a second lockdown: “His utter incompetence in every sense is now offending me on behalf of politicians everywhere. He is a f---ing clown.”