When WhatsApps first came up at FMQs, it was sprung on Humza
Yousaf as a bit of a surprise – coming shortly after the counsel to the UK
Covid inquiry had raised the issue in London.
Today, the first minister will know exactly what is coming
his way. But that might not make it any easier to prepare for.
The question of whether Mr Yousaf was completely straight
with members in that prior session – about when the government was first asked
for its WhatsApp messages – is nailed on to be the first one asked in this
session.
This isn’t about what has been handed to the Covid inquiry,
or what has been deleted – it’s a straightforward question of whether the
record published last night accords with what MSPs were told last month.
The government believes it can weave a path through this by
taking a narrow reading of each interaction with the inquiry, to justify Mr
Yousaf’s characterisation.
But opposition leaders see a much broader way of reading the
original request, from February – and believe they have been misled.
That is a huge charge, given the convention that a minister
who deliberately misleads the parliament should resign.
It more or less guarantees fireworks ahead in this session.
FM defends position on WhatsApp messages
No surprises as Douglas Ross raises the issue of pandemic WhatsApp messages.
In response, the first minister says the deputy first minister was clear when she mentioned initial requests from the inquiry.
Yousaf says he accepts the Scottish government interpreted the requests from the inquiry were "too narrow".
He apologises unreservedly for any hurt caused to berevead families.
The first minister says 14,000 messages have been handed over to the UK inquiry, which he contrasts with the behaviour of the UK government.
FMQs begins...
First Minister Humza Yousaf is in the hot seat, poised and ready, as Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross gets to his feet to begin FMQs.
There are two interesting elements to this timeline.
The first is the fact the inquiry has asked the Scottish government to put it on the public record in the first place.
Although messages have now been handed over, this shows there was quite a bit of a back-and-forth - and perhaps underlines why the inquiry's lead counsel felt the need to raise the matter in a public hearing.
The second is the difficulty it could pose for Humza Yousaf, given his past statements about when requests were made.
You can see the path the government is attempting to weave through, by taking a narrow reading of each request - contending that the first one was about specific messages relating to decision-making, and that the next one was just asking about the existence of groups.
The question is how well this sits with the actual request from February, which asked for "any communications relating to key decisions".
Opposition MSPs are reading that as a much broader request than was previously suggested by ministers.
In a row with many moving parts, that is likely to be the element which grips Holyrood in the coming days.
Five people are demonstrating with a large hand-painted sign saying: Stop arming Israel.
A large Palestinian flag has also been attached to the front of the building in a prominent position.
Police have closed off the area around the entrance and have been speaking to the protesters.
Why has FM been accused of misleading parliament?
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
First Minister Humza Yousaf says he has handed over his WhatsApp filesImage caption: First Minister Humza Yousaf says he has handed over his WhatsApp files
Scottish ministers have revealed the UK Covid Inquiry first asked them for relevant WhatsApp messages nine months ago.
The first minister said last week his government was only asked to submit WhatsApp group messages related to the pandemic in September.
Opposition parties have accused Humza Yousaf and his deputy, Shona Robison, of misleading parliament.
The Scottish government said it was co-operating fully with the inquiry.
Live Reporting
Edited by Paul McLaren
All times stated are UK
Did the FM tell the truth last week?
Douglas Ross points out this is the third week he has raised this issue at FMQs.
The Scottish Tory leader reiterates what the first minister said last week.
He says: "The evidence is clear - will he admit (that) in last week's session he didn't tell the truth."
"I absolutely refute that," the FM hits back.
Yousaf adds he was clearly talking about specific WhatsApp groups. He again accepts his government has interpreted requests too narrowly.
Was Humza Yousaf completely straight with MSPs at last week's FMQs?
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
When WhatsApps first came up at FMQs, it was sprung on Humza Yousaf as a bit of a surprise – coming shortly after the counsel to the UK Covid inquiry had raised the issue in London.
Today, the first minister will know exactly what is coming his way. But that might not make it any easier to prepare for.
The question of whether Mr Yousaf was completely straight with members in that prior session – about when the government was first asked for its WhatsApp messages – is nailed on to be the first one asked in this session.
This isn’t about what has been handed to the Covid inquiry, or what has been deleted – it’s a straightforward question of whether the record published last night accords with what MSPs were told last month.
The government believes it can weave a path through this by taking a narrow reading of each interaction with the inquiry, to justify Mr Yousaf’s characterisation.
But opposition leaders see a much broader way of reading the original request, from February – and believe they have been misled.
That is a huge charge, given the convention that a minister who deliberately misleads the parliament should resign.
It more or less guarantees fireworks ahead in this session.
FM defends position on WhatsApp messages
No surprises as Douglas Ross raises the issue of pandemic WhatsApp messages.
In response, the first minister says the deputy first minister was clear when she mentioned initial requests from the inquiry.
Yousaf says he accepts the Scottish government interpreted the requests from the inquiry were "too narrow".
He apologises unreservedly for any hurt caused to berevead families.
The first minister says 14,000 messages have been handed over to the UK inquiry, which he contrasts with the behaviour of the UK government.
FMQs begins...
First Minister Humza Yousaf is in the hot seat, poised and ready, as Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross gets to his feet to begin FMQs.
What's up with WhatsApp?
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
There are two interesting elements to this timeline.
The first is the fact the inquiry has asked the Scottish government to put it on the public record in the first place.
Although messages have now been handed over, this shows there was quite a bit of a back-and-forth - and perhaps underlines why the inquiry's lead counsel felt the need to raise the matter in a public hearing.
The second is the difficulty it could pose for Humza Yousaf, given his past statements about when requests were made.
You can see the path the government is attempting to weave through, by taking a narrow reading of each request - contending that the first one was about specific messages relating to decision-making, and that the next one was just asking about the existence of groups.
The question is how well this sits with the actual request from February, which asked for "any communications relating to key decisions".
Opposition MSPs are reading that as a much broader request than was previously suggested by ministers.
In a row with many moving parts, that is likely to be the element which grips Holyrood in the coming days.
Pro-Palestinian protest on Holyrood roof
Ahead of FMQs, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters have occupied the roof of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Five people are demonstrating with a large hand-painted sign saying: Stop arming Israel.
A large Palestinian flag has also been attached to the front of the building in a prominent position.
Police have closed off the area around the entrance and have been speaking to the protesters.
Why has FM been accused of misleading parliament?
Scottish ministers have revealed the UK Covid Inquiry first asked them for relevant WhatsApp messages nine months ago.
The first minister said last week his government was only asked to submit WhatsApp group messages related to the pandemic in September.
Opposition parties have accused Humza Yousaf and his deputy, Shona Robison, of misleading parliament.
The Scottish government said it was co-operating fully with the inquiry.
What's been making the headlines in Scotland this week?
Another week and another FMQs we expect will be dominated by the Scottish government's WhatsApp messages.
Scottish ministers have revealed the UK Covid Inquiry first asked them for relevant WhatsApp messages nine months ago.
This story still has some distance left to run.
Another IT issue this week is the fact Health Secretary Michael Matheson racked up nearly £11,000 in roaming costs on his parliament iPad while in Morocco.
At Westminster King Charles outlined the government's priorities for the year ahead, in his first King's Speech as monarch.
At least three arrests have now been made over the Bonfire Night disorder we saw in Scotland.
And of course events in Gaza and Israel have dominated the headlines around the world.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of First Minister's Questions.
We'll bring you the action live from Holyrood, with reports and analysis throughout.
As ever, FMQs gets under way at noon. You can watch live from the chamber by clicking the play icon at the top of this page.