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.”

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.

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 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.

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”.