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Sturgeon: ‘Don’t worry about protocol’

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Oh dear. It seems the blessed Nicola has slipped up again. Away from the high sea shenanigans of the fuity Houthi rebels, up in Edinburgh the extent of Sturgeon’s secret state is well and truly being exposed. Today the Scottish Covid Inquiry published text messages from the former First Minister to her onetime advisor, the sainted Devi Sridhar. They show that, at the height of the pandemic in summer 2020, Sturgeon was advising Sridhar to contact her by channels which would not fall under Scotland’s freedom of information laws and therefore could not be made public.

In one text from 4 June, Shridar texted to ask Sturgeon ‘I’ve done a note for CMO [Chief Medical Officer]… on key steps to managing outbreak in Scotland looking forward. Happy to share a draft with you as well but don’t want to overstep or break protocol.’ Sturgeon’s response? ‘That would be very helpful.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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