Well, well, well. It has now emerged that the SNP government will ban WhatsApp on official devices in the wake of the Covid Inquiry. The announcement from the SNP’s deputy first minister Kate Forbes came today after the publication of an external review into the use of mobile messaging apps on government devices. ‘The use of mobile messaging apps increased during the pandemic as staff worked remotely in unprecedented and difficult circumstances,’ Forbes remarked, adding: ‘Having reflected on our working practices, we are now implementing changes to the use of mobile messaging apps.’
How curious. A number of Scottish government figures endured rather embarrassing sessions at the Covid Inquiry after their pandemic messages were dredged up for all to see. One parliamentarian in particular had a pretty gruelling experience after it emerged just how, er, candid he had been about his colleagues. See below for Humza Yousaf’s five worst Covid WhatsApps…
With friends like these…
In one forthright message, Humza blasted one of Scotland’s top lawyers as a ‘Tory f***wit’, raging to then-national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch: ‘Dunlop is a Tory f**kwit. Remember Twitter isn’t real life!’ Good heavens.
Taking the revelation well, Roddy Dunlop KC remarked at the time:
He contacted me this morning to apologise, and I have no difficulty in accepting his apology. No offence is taken and, on the contrary, I actually find this quite amusing.
For his part, Yousaf’s spokesperson insisted the former first minister ‘regrets the language used, particularly given the professional and personal respect he has for [Dunlop].’ That’s certainly one way of showing it…
Criticising cops
Another rather unedifying message revealed Yousaf – who was justice secretary at the time – had taken aim at the Scottish Police Federation, the organisation that represents rank-and-file officers. In a conversation with current First Minister John Swinney, Yousaf labelled the SPF ‘a disgrace’, adding: ‘Right through this pandemic they have shown an arrogance and retrograde thinking.’ Ouch.
Bridging the political divide
Not content with just bashing top lawyers, another Covid WhatsApp exchange revealed Yousaf had slammed one of his own parliamentary colleagues, calling then-Labour MSP Neil Findlay a ‘tw**’ and an ‘a***hole’. Charming!
Who needs experience?
Not long after Yousaf was made health secretary during the pandemic, the man responsible for helping organise the country’s response to Covid remarked to Professor Leitch that he was ‘winging it!’ adding: ‘And will get found out sooner rather than later’, following up with a laughing emoji. Good to know the grown ups were in charge…
…Or knowledge of your own Covid rules?
A bizarre exchange revealed the the former clinical director had given the then-health secretary advice on how to get around pandemic instructions, after Yousaf admitted to being a little confused about his own government’s guidance.
HY: I know sitting at the table I don’t need my mask. If I’m standing talking to folk, need my mask on?
JL: Officially yes. But literally no one does. Have a drink in your hands at ALL times. Then you’re exempt. So if someone comes over and you stand, lift your drink.
Just as well Yousaf is stepping down as an MSP in 2026, eh?
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