Nicola Sturgeon and most of her ministers refused to use government-issued mobile phones during the Covid pandemic, it has emerged. It follows our revelation earlier today that key figures during Scotland's pandemic response – including Ms Sturgeon – were warned not to delete their texts, WhatsApps and other messages and records as long ago as August 2021. Instead, the former first minister and her most senior parliamentarians used only personal devices to call or text colleagues. At the time, Ms Sturgeon insisted there was "absolutely no substance" to claims that she did this to avoid scrutiny. She was also shown to be using her SNP email account to conduct state business for years, despite strict rules separating government and party.

Source: Express December 07, 2023 04:25 UTC