Summary

  • First Minister Humza Yousaf, who gave evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry, was a health secretary during the later part of the pandemic

  • On his first day in the health role, National Clinical Director Jason Leitch sent Yousaf a message saying: "There was some FM 'keep it small' shenanigans as always. She actually wants none of us."

  • The FM told the inquiry that that was an example of Leitch "over speaking", however, on specific issues Nicola Sturgeon wanted a "tighter cast list" when it came to decision making

  • In the morning session, the hearing saw messages written by Sturgeon which said former PM Boris Johnson was utterly incompetent and a "[expletive] clown"

  • The former FM's view came in an exchange she had with her then chief of staff Liz Lloyd who gave evidence to the inquiry

  • Lloyd said she was the Scottish first minister's "thought partner" during the pandemic and that in her government role she was a sounding board and helped "stress test" ideas

  • The inquiry will be in Scotland again next week with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon due to give her evidence

Live Reporting

Edited by Paul McLaren and Emily McGarvey

  1. Lloyd says she attended most key Covid meetings

    Liz Lloyd is detailing her involvement in Covid decision-making meetings during the pandemic.

    Lloyd, along with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, attended cabinet and Scottish government resilience committee meetings, as well as meetings of the UK government's emergency response committee - known as Cobra meetings.

    She was also present on calls between the leaders of the four UK nations.

    Lloyd says she was part of a "core team", and other regular faces at those meetings along with her and Sturgeon were the health secretary, the deputy first minister and clinicians.

  2. 'I always felt accountable to the public' - Lloyd

    Liz Lloyd sitting in room in front of laptopUK Covid Inquiry

    Usman Tariq, the junior counsel to the inquiry, begins by taking us through Liz Lloyd's witness statement.

    The former chief of staff to Nicola Sturgeon says she held the role until 23 March 2021. She left government when Sturgeon resigned.

    Tariq describes the role of a special adviser and points out they do not take decisions themselves, as only ministers are elected and accountable to the public.

    "I always felt accountable to the public," says Lloyd.

    She says her relationship with Nicola Sturgeon was very close.

  3. Inquiry has begun

    Liz Lloyd wears a beige jacket, walking briskly past a red carPA Media

    Liz Lloyd arriving at the inquiry this morning

    Today's session of the inquiry is getting underway and it's Liz Lloyd, Nicola Sturgeon's former chief of staff, up first.

    We will bring you the key parts of her evidence here, and you can press Play at the top of this page to watch along.

  4. What made the headlines yesterday?

    Here's a reminder of the headlines from yesterday's evidence session at the Covid inquiry:

    • Disease expert Prof Mark Woolhouse said he warned Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, about coronavirus in January 2020 but felt the risks were not being taken seriously
    • The professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University of Edinburgh agreed with the suggestion that officials "froze" in the face of the evidence about the virus
    • Prof Woolhouse also said Dr Catherine Calderwood was "not listening" to his warnings
    • He said the stay at home order introduced during the pandemic was "never necessary"
    • The academic also argued that schools stayed shut far longer than necessary and said he was “baffled” by their closure in January 2021
    • Legal expert Dr Pablo Grez said very few of the coronavirus regulations were debated by MSPs
    • Prof Susan McVie told the inquiry the England Scotland travel ban was felt by police to be impossible to enforce

  5. Who is Liz Lloyd?

    Liz Lloyd served as chief of staff and strategic adviser to former first minister Nicola SturgeonGetty Images

    Liz Lloyd served as chief of staff and strategic adviser to former first minister Nicola Sturgeon between 2015 and 2023.

    She was known as the closest aide to Sturgeon until the ex-SNP leader stepped down in March 2023.

    It was reported that Lloyd gave advice to Sturgeon’s successor Humza Yousaf during the leadership contest.

    Her central role in Sturgeon’s administration is likely to come under the spotlight at the Covid inquiry, though some of her evidence has already been referenced.

    Last week, the inquiry was shown a hand-written note in which Lloyd said Cobra, the UK government’s emergency response committee, was a “shambles".

    Lloyd added that "repeated calls for assurance” from the Scottish government to then prime minister Boris Johnson had been “ignored”.

    A hand-written note in which Ms Lloyd said Cobra, the UK government’s emergency response committee, was a “shamblesUK Covid inquiry

    A hand-written note in which Lloyd said Cobra, the UK government’s emergency response committee, was a “shambles"

  6. What can we expect today?

    First Minister Humza YousafPA MEDIA

    First Minister Humza Yousaf is expected to give evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry this afternoon.

    Yousaf was Health Secretary during the latter part of the Covid pandemic.

    Nicola Sturgeon's former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd will also appear at the hearing. The focus will be on how key political choices made in Scotland, through the Covid pandemic.

    Humza Yousaf was appointed as cabinet secretary for health and social care, after the Scottish elections in May 2021.

    Within months, the new Omicron strain of Covid emerged - causing infection rates to soar, with fresh lockdown measures imposed.

    The other witness - Liz Lloyd - was Nicola Sturgeon's chief of staff, and a trusted adviser. This meant she was often in the room, when the most important decisions were made.

  7. Welcome

    First Minister Humza Yousaf previously served as health secretaryGetty Images

    First Minister Humza Yousaf previously served as health secretary

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the UK Covid Inquiry as it sits in Edinburgh for the eighth day on Thursday 25 January 2024.

    One of the most anticipated sessions of the UK Covid inquiry is just hours away, with First Minister Humza Yousaf, set to give evidence this afternoon.

    Before that, the inquiry will hear from Liz Lloyd, who was by Nicola Sturgeon's side throughout the pandemic, as her chief of staff.

    We’ll bring you live reports, background and analysis of the proceedings.

    If you want to watch live from about 10:00, stick with us and press the play icon at the top of the page.