Nicola Sturgeon not being investigated by police ‘at this time’ over ‘deleted’ pandemic WhatsApp messages

Scottish police have told Sky News Nicola Sturgeon is not being investigated “at this time” after it emerged the former first minister wiped pandemic related WhatsApp messages.

The UK COVID Inquiry heard on Friday that everything sent and received by Ms Sturgeon during COVID-19 on the platform was erased.

She previously said she never used informal messages to make decisions throughout the crisis but was criticised by several political opponents who say she is attempting to hide exchanges with key ministers and advisers.

Jamie Dawson KC, counsel to the inquiry, said on Friday that a table submitted by the Scottish government confirmed that the WhatsApp messages were gone.

The former first minister hit back on Saturday and insisted the inquiry “does have messages” between her and those she communicated with.

On X, Ms Sturgeon said: “In light of recent coverage, there are certain points I feel it important to make clear.

“Contrary to the impression given in some coverage, the inquiry does have messages between me and those I most regularly communicated with through informal means.”

She added: “Although these had not been retained on my own device, I was able to obtain copies which I submitted to the inquiry last year.

Read more from Sky News:
Scots share pandemic stories
PM appears at the COVID inquiry
Mum launches legal action over daughter’s long COVID treatment

“To be clear, I conducted the COVID response through formal processes from my office in St Andrews House, not through WhatsApp or any other informal messaging platform. I was not a member of any WhatsApp groups.

“The number of people I communicated with through informal messaging at all was limited.

“Also, any handwritten notes made by me were passed to my private office to be dealt with and recorded as appropriate. Throughout the entire process, I acted in line with Scottish government policy.”

The Scottish COVID Bereaved group confirmed on Saturday evening it was “considering” lodging a formal police complaint against Ms Sturgeon.

The organisation, which is represented by lawyer Aamer Anwar, said it is likely to wait for the evidence of the former SNP leader to conclude before making its next move.

Sky News questioned Police Scotland about the matter on Saturday.

A spokesman replied: “At this time, we’ve nothing to indicate any police involvement or that this is a policing matter.”

Ms Sturgeon is due to give evidence directly to the UK inquiry in the coming weeks in Edinburgh.