New Covid-19 inquiry chairman Lord Brailsford appoints counsel
The new chairman of the public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland has appointed four new counsel.
Lord Brailsford was appointed chairman in October following the resignation of Lady Poole for personal reasons earlier that month.
Four lawyers working on the inquiry also quit after Lady Poole.
Lord Brailsford has now appointed Stuart Gale KC as co-lead counsel, and Faryma Bahrami, Mary Ellen Stewart and Alan Caskie as junior counsel to the inquiry.
In a statement, the inquiry said: "Junior counsel will work closely with Stuart and Laura-anne van der Westhuizen KC, who will jointly lead the inquiry's counsel team.
"Together with David Turner, Junior Counsel, they will be responsible for conducting legal research, analysing and reviewing documents, identifying evidence, drafting materials, and assisting with the preparation of hearings."