Adviser told Yousaf how to dodge SNP’S mask laws, inquiry hears

HUMZA YOUSAF was advised by Nicola Sturgeon's most high-profile medical adviser how to get round rules on wearing a mask when he was health secretary, the Covid Inquiry has heard.

Prof Jason Leitch, Scotland's national clinical director, became the latest senior figure from Ms Sturgeon's government to admit he had deleted all his Whatsapp messages from the pandemic.

But messages obtained from Mr Yousaf showed he asked Prof Leitch what the rules were about wearing a mask at a dinner he was attending on Nov 19, 2021. Mr Yousaf said he knew that he did not have to wear a mask when seated but did not know the rules around whether he needed one when “standing talking to folk”, despite being the health secretary at the time.

Prof Leitch replied: “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.”

Jamie Dawson KC, counsel to the inquiry, challenged Prof Leitch over what he called a “workaround” for Mr Yousaf, saying: “If the cabinet secretary for health and social care didn't understand the rules, what chance did anybody else have?”

Prof Leitch denied it was a workaround, saying it was a “tricky area” and argued that the advice “follows the rules” as people were allowed to stand and talk without a mask if they were drinking.

Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory chairman, said the messages between Prof Leitch and Mr Yousaf over masks were “astonishing” and would “sicken” Scots who had followed the rules.

Members of the Scottish Labour Party said the national clinical director should be sacked.