Gove: SNP sought to tear up the Union during pandemic

THE SNP response to the pandemic was partly driven by its aim to “destroy the UK” and for political advantage, Michael Gove has told the Covid Inquiry.

The Levelling Up Secretary said it was “naive” not to be aware that “highly skilled politicians” might “well see political advantage” at certain points throughout the day-to-day management of the crisis.

Mr Gove, who was chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster during the pandemic and communicated with devolved administrations, said that it was “undoubtedly the case” that people within the Scottish Government “were at certain moments looking at the political as well as the policy consequences of their choices”.

During the pandemic, Nicola Sturgeon’s government often made different decisions to the UK.

Mr Gove told the inquiry, in Edinburgh, he did not believe the Scottish Government’s approach was “politically motivated in everything” and its main focus was protecting the public, but added: “There are and were occasions when the Scottish Government, as we can see, was thinking politically and of course it is the case that the SNP has a political mission, which is to achieve independence, ie to destroy the United Kingdom.

“And it would be naive to not be aware that highly skilled politicians, including those at the top of the Scottish Government, might well seek what they perceive to be political advantage at certain points.

“But I think it’s important to note that the day-to-day management of the pandemic preoccupied them as it did other ministers.” Mr Gove said he wanted to “take as balanced as an approach that I can, paying tribute to [Ms Sturgeon’s] energy and hard work”.

But he added that the SNP spread “divisive nonsense” during the pandemic by implying Scotland is “somehow more compassionate, more tolerant” than England.

‘Of course it is the case that the SNP has a political mission, which is to achieve independence’