UK COVID inquiry: Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson a ‘clown’ in foul-mouthed messages during pandemic
Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson a “clown” during the pandemic, a series of foul-mouthed messages shown to the UK COVID inquiry has revealed.
The exchange between the former first minister and her chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, took place on 31 October 2020 as the then prime minister appeared on TV to announce the second national lockdown.
Ms Sturgeon hit out at the UK government’s communications, stating: “This is f****** excruciating – their comms are awful.
“His utter incompetence in every sense is now offending me on behalf of politicians everywhere.”
Ms Lloyd said she was “offended” on behalf of special advisers everywhere.
Ms Sturgeon replied: “He is a f****** clown.”
The foul-mouthed exchange between Nicola Sturgeon and Liz Lloyd. Pic: UK COVID-19 Inquiry
Ms Lloyd’s evidence comes amid ongoing scrutiny over messages exchanged by ministers and officials during the pandemic.
Usman Tariq, junior counsel to the inquiry, highlighted an exchange made on 22 September 2020.
In a message sent to Ms Lloyd just two hours before a briefing in light of differing Westminster regulations, Ms Sturgeon said: “We haven’t thought about weddings. They are reducing but not sure what to.”
Special adviser Ms Lloyd responded they should “just leave it” as the Scottish government had recently increased the number of guests allowed to 20.
Ms Lloyd with former first minister Ms Sturgeon in 2019. Pic: PA
Mr Tariq asked: “Is this not an example of a decision that was made very much at the last minute over WhatsApp between you and Nicola Sturgeon?”
Ms Lloyd said she did not view this as making a decision because it had already been made in cabinet.
She refuted a suggestion the message implied the decision was “made on the hoof”, arguing that sticking with the numbers determined via scientific evidence was a “more coherent” position.
Ms Lloyd giving evidence. Pic: PA/UK COVID-19 Inquiry
Ms Lloyd was said to be in favour of telling the public about a Nike conference in Edinburgh – Scotland’s first recognised outbreak of COVID.
Then chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, strongly advised against it, citing patient confidentiality.
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The inquiry is currently sitting in Edinburgh as it probes the devolved administration’s response to the pandemic.
Ms Sturgeon will appear at the inquiry next Wednesday.
Ms Lloyd’s appearance comes ahead of First Minister Humza Yousaf, who is due to give evidence on Thursday afternoon.
Liz Lloyd arriving at the inquiry on Thursday. Pic: PA
Earlier in the week, the inquiry was shown a WhatsApp exchange in November 2021 between Mr Yousaf, the then health secretary, and national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch.
At the time, COVID rules in Scotland meant people would not have to wear a mask if they were sitting down to eat or drink, but would if they were moving around a bar or restaurant while not drinking.
Ahead of an event, Mr Yousaf messaged: “I know sitting at the table I don’t need my mask. If I’m standing talking to folk, need my mask on?”
Mr Leitch responded: “Officially yes. But literally no one does. Have a drink in your hands at all times. Then you’re exempt. So if someone comes over and you stand, lift your drink.”
Professor Leitch rejected a suggestion that he had offered a “workaround” to the rules, while a spokesperson for Mr Yousaf said the exchange “simply shows the then health secretary seeking specific, up-to-date guidance from a senior adviser to ensure he was complying with the COVID rules”.
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Politics
Sir Keir Starmer set for Donald Trump trade talks as PM walks diplomatic line between EU allies and US on Gaza
Gaza and transatlantic trade are set to dominate talks between Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer when the pair meet in Scotland on Monday.
Downing Street said the prime minister would discuss “what more can be done to secure the ceasefire [in the Middle East] urgently”, during the meeting at the president’s Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire.
Talks in Qatar over a ceasefire ended on Thursday after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams.
Mr Trump blamed Hamas for the collapse of negotiations as he left the US for Scotland, saying the militant group “didn’t want to make a deal… they want to die”.
Sir Keir has tried to forge close personal ties with the president, frequently praising his actions on the world stage despite clear foreign policy differences between the US and UK.
The approach seemed to pay off in May when Mr Trump announced the agreement of a trade deal with the UK that would see several tariffs lowered.
The two leaders are expected to discuss this agreement when they meet, with the prime minister likely to press the president for a lowering of outstanding tariffs on imports such as steel.
Prior to the visit, the White House said the talks would allow them to “refine the historic US-UK trade deal”.
Extracting promises from the president on the Middle East may be harder though.
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Should aid be dropped into Gaza?
Despite some reports that Mr Trump is growing frustrated with Israel, there is a clear difference in tone between the US and its Western allies.
As he did over the Ukraine war, Sir Keir will have to walk a diplomatic line between the UK’s European allies and the White House.
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state in September, the first member of the G7 to do so.
That move was dismissed by Mr Trump, who said it “doesn’t carry any weight”.
Read more from Sky News:
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Trump: ‘It doesn’t matter what Macron says’
The UK, French and German leaders spoke over the weekend and agreed to work together on the “next phase” in Gaza that would see transitional governance and security arrangements put in place, alongside the large-scale delivery of aid.
Under pressure from members of his own party and cabinet to follow France and signal formal recognition of Palestine, Sir Keir has gradually become more critical of Israel in recent months.
On Friday, the prime minister said “the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel’s disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible”.
Government sources say UK recognition is a matter of “when, not if”, however, it’s thought Downing Street wants to ensure any announcement is made at a time when it can have the greatest diplomatic impact.
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Baby Zainab starved to death in Gaza
Cabinet ministers will be convened in the coming days, during the summer recess, to discuss the situation in Gaza.
The UK has also been working with Jordan to air drop supplies, after Israel said it would allow foreign countries to provide aid to the territory.
President Trump’s trip to Scotland comes ahead of his second state visit to the UK in September.
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Downing Street says Ukraine will also likely be discussed in the meeting with both men reflecting on what can be done to force Russia back to the negotiating table.
After the meeting at Turnberry, the prime minister will travel with the president to Aberdeen for a private engagement.
Mr Trump is also expected to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney while in the country.
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