Scottish Covid-19 inquiry to be ‘fair and open’

The Scottish Covid inquiry will carry out a “fair, open and thorough investigation” into the handling of the virus in Scotland, it has pledged – but its focus right now is on establishing the necessary systems to allow the work to take place.

Staff are still being appointed to work on the inquiry, to ensure that this is of a level to deal with a “pandemic which has affected all of the Scottish population”.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry stressed the importance of having the necessary “infrastructure” in place.

They spoke out after lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represents the families of some of those who died in care homes after contracting coronavirus, demanded to know why the inquiry is “taking so long”.

In August 2021, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had promised the judge-led inquiry would begin work before the end of the year.

But it was December 14 before Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the inquiry would be chaired by Court of Session judge Lady Poole, who said at the time she was “honoured” to undertake the work.

Lady Poole said then that her “immediate focus” would be on “getting the right people in place to support me and establishing the necessary systems”.

And in response to Mr Anwar, a spokesperson for the inquiry said that this process was “ongoing”.

The spokesperson pledged: “The inquiry is independent of government and will carry out a fair, open and thorough investigation.

“Following Lady Poole’s appointment in December 2021, the main focus has been to get the right people and systems in place to support its work.”