Covid Inquiry: Michael Gove critiques SNP’s decision-making
Michael Gove told the Covid Inquiry that the SNP’s approach to the pandemic was partly due to them trying to achieve their goal to “destroy the UK.”
The Levelling Up Secretary was questioned about how decisions made by the UK and Scottish government differed in the early days of the pandemic.
He claimed the SNP made calls in an effort to advance their “political agenda” to pursue their goal of dividing the union.
This argument includes when then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on mass gatherings before the UK government came to a decision on the matter.
Gove said the move led to distrust towards Sturgeon in No 10 but understands she may have wanted to get the message out about a ban on mass gatherings as quickly as possible.
He said: “We shouldn’t allow regret over this to prejudice continued good working overall.”
Gove also denied that there was a dysfunctional relationship between the UK and Scottish Government, as well as the idea that the UK were also playing politics with their decision making.
Former Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is now set to be questioned by the inquiry this afternoon.
