Sturgeon had 'tighter cast list' on some Covid decisions - Yousaf

First Minister Humza Yousaf has said his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon liked to keep a “tighter cast list” when it came to making some key decisions during the Covid pandemic.

Mr Yousaf was speaking at the UK Covid Inquiry, which is currently sitting in Edinburgh.

The first minister was appointed health secretary during the pandemic.

The inquiry heard that on his first day in the job in May 2021, National Clinical Director Jason Leitch sent Mr Yousaf a WhatsApp message saying: "There was some FM 'keep it small' shenanigans as always. She actually wants none of us."

Mr Yousaf told the inquiry: "I don't doubt of course there were times the former first minister needed a tighter cast list and wanted a tighter cast list to make a decision on a very specific issue .

"But I think this is a classic example of Jason perhaps over-speaking."