This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66044559

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sturgeon and Swinney to appear before UK Covid inquiry Sturgeon and Swinney to appear before UK Covid inquiry
(about 13 hours later)
John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon are due to make their first appearances at the UK inquiry on ThursdayJohn Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon are due to make their first appearances at the UK inquiry on Thursday
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney are set to give evidence to the UK Covid inquiry. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney giving evidence to the UK Covid inquiry.
They will face questions on how prepared the Scottish government was for the pandemic and how it handled it.They will face questions on how prepared the Scottish government was for the pandemic and how it handled it.
Lawyers representing bereaved families have been calling for all of Ms Sturgeon's unredacted WhatsApp messages to be provided to the inquiry.Lawyers representing bereaved families have been calling for all of Ms Sturgeon's unredacted WhatsApp messages to be provided to the inquiry.
She is expected to appear on more than one occasion, with public hearings set to continue until 2026.She is expected to appear on more than one occasion, with public hearings set to continue until 2026.
What is the UK Covid inquiry and how long will it take?What is the UK Covid inquiry and how long will it take?
The UK pandemic in numbersThe UK pandemic in numbers
Evidence from Ms Sturgeon and Mr Swinney will follow that of Scotland's former health secretary who said no plan could have prepared Scotland for the crisis.Evidence from Ms Sturgeon and Mr Swinney will follow that of Scotland's former health secretary who said no plan could have prepared Scotland for the crisis.
Jeane Freeman told the inquiry that health infrastructure was not equipped to cope with the pandemic and PPE supplies came close to running out.Jeane Freeman told the inquiry that health infrastructure was not equipped to cope with the pandemic and PPE supplies came close to running out.
On Wednesday, Ms Freeman - who was the Scottish health secretary from 2018 to 2021 before stepping down as an MSP - was challenged over an Audit Scotland report which found the government had failed to implement recommendations from three pre-pandemic planning exercises.On Wednesday, Ms Freeman - who was the Scottish health secretary from 2018 to 2021 before stepping down as an MSP - was challenged over an Audit Scotland report which found the government had failed to implement recommendations from three pre-pandemic planning exercises.
She said there had "clearly" been persistent issues with distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff but that it had not run out.She said there had "clearly" been persistent issues with distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff but that it had not run out.
The former minister previously admitted she regrets that the Scottish government discharged so many hospital patients into care homes without being tested for the virus.The former minister previously admitted she regrets that the Scottish government discharged so many hospital patients into care homes without being tested for the virus.
The Scottish government has said distribution of PPE to frontline staff was an issueThe Scottish government has said distribution of PPE to frontline staff was an issue
The inquiry, led by Baroness Heather Hallett, was set up to examine the UK's response to the virus.The inquiry, led by Baroness Heather Hallett, was set up to examine the UK's response to the virus.
It will also look into the impact of the pandemic and the lessons that can be learned for future virus outbreaks.It will also look into the impact of the pandemic and the lessons that can be learned for future virus outbreaks.
A separate Scottish inquiry that will look specifically at the impact of the virus north of the border has been hit by delays after its original chairwoman quit for personal reasons and four members of the inquiry's legal team also stood down.A separate Scottish inquiry that will look specifically at the impact of the virus north of the border has been hit by delays after its original chairwoman quit for personal reasons and four members of the inquiry's legal team also stood down.
About 227,000 people died in the UK with Covid listed as one of the causes on their death certificate - including more than 17,000 in Scotland - after the first cases were detected early in 2020.About 227,000 people died in the UK with Covid listed as one of the causes on their death certificate - including more than 17,000 in Scotland - after the first cases were detected early in 2020.
More than 44 million people were estimated to have caught the virus by February 2022.More than 44 million people were estimated to have caught the virus by February 2022.
What is the Covid Inquiry?What is the Covid Inquiry?
It is about going through what happened and learning lessonsIt is about going through what happened and learning lessons
No-one will be found guilty or innocentNo-one will be found guilty or innocent
Any recommendations made do not have to be adopted by governmentsAny recommendations made do not have to be adopted by governments
The inquiry has no formal deadline but is due to hold public hearings until 2026The inquiry has no formal deadline but is due to hold public hearings until 2026
Scotland is holding a separate inquiry in addition to the wider UK oneScotland is holding a separate inquiry in addition to the wider UK one
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Coronavirus public inquiryCoronavirus public inquiry
Coronavirus lockdown measuresCoronavirus lockdown measures
Scottish governmentScottish government
Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
NHS ScotlandNHS Scotland
John SwinneyJohn Swinney