Scotland’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has come under sharp criticism, with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry finding the Scottish Government was “significantly under-prepared” and often relied too heavily on decisions coming from Westminster.
The report praised Nicola Sturgeon as a “serious and diligent leader” but said the former first minister made major decisions within a small inner circle, sidelining cabinet ministers and reducing transparency. A “Gold Command” group – involving Sturgeon, John Swinney and senior advisers – met ahead of cabinet meetings without formal minutes, a practice the inquiry said weakened accountability.
The inquiry found that Sturgeon and Swinney alone decided to close Scotland’s schools, and that cabinet ended up ratifying decisions rather than shaping them. It also noted Sturgeon fronted almost every televised briefing, saying a broader communications team would have reduced political polarisation.
The report also pointed to strained relations between Edinburgh and London, describing mistrust on both sides and a perception of political manoeuvring that hindered cooperation at a crucial time. Despite public rows, the inquiry said it found no evidence that constitutional politics shaped pandemic decisions.
On preparedness, Scotland – like the rest of the UK – was criticised for lacking urgency in early 2020. The inquiry said all four governments were too slow to act and that lockdown became unavoidable because measures such as voluntary distancing were introduced too late. It noted that 23,000 deaths could have been avoided in England alone if lockdown had come one week earlier.
Scotland was praised for later adopting tougher local restrictions in autumn 2020, which reduced the need for another full national lockdown. But the inquiry also said the Scottish Government had “no real strategy” in the early months and failed to plan its exit from the first lockdown.
Sturgeon said she acted in good faith and defended her decision to lead from the front, saying she alone took responsibility for the choices made. She accepted mistakes were inevitable, describing them as “a burden I will carry for the rest of my life.”
Opposition parties have seized on findings around deleted WhatsApp messages and the lack of minutes from key meetings, accusing the government of avoiding scrutiny. Ministers insist they will consider the inquiry’s recommendations in full.
For communities across Renfrewshire and the rest of Scotland, the report paints a stark picture: a government that worked hard under intense pressure but was hampered by poor preparedness, strained relationships with the UK Government, and decisions taken within too tight a circle. The inquiry concludes that future crises will require faster action, better planning and stronger cooperation between all four nations.
Photo Credit: Thomas G / Pixabay