Cole-Hamilton demands Yousaf investigate Gold Command and urges personal statement from Sturgeon

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament during First Minister’s Questions this afternoon, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Presiding Officer, we did hear striking testimony yesterday from the former First Minister.

“About a personal phone on which she retained WhatsApp messages for the Salmond Inquiry, but deleted them for every aspect of the pandemic, forever denying the bereaved families an insight into the mind of the person who held all of the power.

“About hospitality rules seemingly made up at random, sending some businesses to the wall. Unanswered questions about care homes, about school closures.

“And a secret central committee, in charge it seems of everything, about which the Finance Secretary knew nothing and of which there are no minutes. A government within a government.

“Humza Yousaf saw all of this and yet, did nothing.

“So why is he now standing in the way of a ministerial code investigation into Gold Command record keeping – something only he can instruct?

“And does he agree that Nicola Sturgeon now has a duty to come back to this chamber and once more finally explain herself?”