Embarrassing climb down
NATS chiefs were compelled to release more than 100 pages of WhatsApp messages from ministers, despite initially denying their existence over two years ago. This reversal comes after Nicola Sturgeon admitted to deleting all her WhatsApp messages during the Covid pandemic, leading to criticism and accusations of secrecy.
Transparency victory
The Scottish Sun played a pivotal role in this transparency victory by taking the Scottish Government to the information watchdog. The released messages shed light on various conversations among senior Scottish Government figures, including moments of frustration and flippant remarks.
Revealing messages
Messages include exchanges between Sturgeon and her chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, expressing exasperation, as well as discussions about handling sexual harassment complaints and government papers. The publication also reveals the use of WhatsApp for government business by other ministers, despite previous denials.
Cover-up attempts
Although some messages remain heavily redacted, ministers' attempts to conceal their use of the encrypted messaging system are evident. The release of these messages comes after a lengthy process that involved appeals and interventions from various parties.
Political reactions
Opposition parties have criticized the Scottish Government for misleading the public and attempting to hide the extent of their WhatsApp communications. The revelations have raised questions about transparency and accountability within the government.
Commitment to transparency
In response to the publication of the messages, the Scottish Government has stated its commitment to transparency and best practices in handling Freedom of Information requests. An external review into the use of mobile messaging apps and non-corporate technology within the government has been commissioned.
