Steve Braham💙

Statement re UK Covid Inquiry: I do not intend to give a running commentary on the ongoing Inquiry. Instead, out of respect to all those impacted by the pandemic, I will answer questions directly and openly when I give evidence at the end of this month However, in light of recent coverage, there are certain points I feel it important to make clear. Contrary to the impression given in some coverage, the Inquiry does have messages between me and those I most regularly communicated with through informal means. Although these had not been retained on my own device, I was able to obtain copies which I submitted to the Inquiry last year. To be clear, I conducted the Covid response through formal processes from my office in St Andrews House, not through WhatsApp or any other informal messaging platform. I was not a member of any WhatsApp groups. The number of people I communicated with through informal messaging at all was limited. Also, any handwritten notes made by me were passed to my private office to be dealt with and recorded as appropriate. Throughout the entire process, I acted in line with Scottish Government policy. I did my level best to lead Scotland through the pandemic as safely as possible - and shared my thinking with the country on a daily basis. I did not get every decision right - far from it - but I was motivated only, and at all times, by the determination to keep people as safe as possible.