Summary

  • Jeane Freeman, former Scottish health secretary, has given evidence to the UK Covid inquiry in Edinburgh

  • She said she would regret "for the rest of my life" any deaths which occurred because her government did not take action or could have done better

  • Freeman said she felt there "wasn't sufficient urgency from the UK government” at a Cobra meeting in March 2020

  • She said she did not delete any of her WhatsApp messages during the pandemic - primarily because "it never occurred to me to do so"

  • Earlier, Michael Gove said there was "irritation" within No 10 when then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on mass gatherings in Scotland shortly after a Cobra meeting in March 2020

  • The UK levelling up secretary said Sturgeon's move was "unwise" and led to concerns about the Scottish government being trusted - although he felt it was better to "err on the side of forgiveness"

Live Reporting

Edited by Paul McLaren and James FitzGerald

  1. What can we expect today?

    UK Cabinet Minister Michael Gove will be first up, as the inquiry continues to examine decision-making and governance in Scotland during the pandemic.

    The former Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will appear before the inquiry this afternoon.

    This is the third and final week of the UK Covid inquiry's Scottish sitting - and perhaps the most significant one.

    Gove - who's now the levelling up secretary - has already appeared before the inquiry.

    During the pandemic, he was a key go-between - communicating the UK government's position to the Scottish government.

    Questions will focus on inter-governmental relations - with Jeane Freeman, the former Scottish Health Secretary, set to be asked about that in the afternoon.

    It's likely she will have to give details about the release of untested elderly people into care homes at the start of the pandemic.

  2. Welcome

    Michael Gove arriving at the inquiryPA Media

    Michael Gove arriving at the inquiry

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the UK Covid Inquiry as it sits in Edinburgh for the third week, on Monday 29 January 2024.

    It's another huge week for the inquiry, with the all day evidence session with Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday eagerly anticipated.

    Before that, the inquiry will hear from UK Cabinet Minister Michael Gove this morning and Scotland's former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman this afternoon.

    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.