Statement re UK Covid Inquiry:
I do not intend to give a running commentary on the ongoing Inquiry. Instead, out of respect to all those impacted by the pandemic, I will answer questions directly and openly when I give evidence at the end of this month
However, 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.
Although these had not been retained on my own device, I was able to obtain copies which I submitted to the Inquiry last year.
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.
I did my level best to lead Scotland through the pandemic as safely as possible - and shared my thinking with the country on a daily basis. I did not get every decision right - far from it - but I was motivated only, and at all times, by the determination to keep people as safe as possible.
If everyone who has been grateful for the NHS over the past 75 years followed and retweeted we’d reach a million by midnight
Please take just two seconds to show you care
The shamelessness of people like Daniel Hannan & Douglas Carswell talking about the decline of our country when they were culpable makes me so angry.
Not only that, but many of their fellow ideologs have either left the country, taken up other citizenship or golden visas abroad – yet they continue to pontificate from afar, rather than staying and fighting.
I for one will not stop fighting against the hypocrisy, self-interest and ideological cultism that continues to hurt millions of Brits #Brexit
If you feel the same, please think about joining me and my fellow @VoteTrueAndFair parliamentary candidates, team and supporters.
We will fight to fix #brokenbritain
https://t.co/I3kYqCMdXH
Britain is now a poor nation. This is the number one issue we face – yet our leaders ignore it @Telegraph
://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/22/britain-is-now-a-poor-nation-this-is-our-number-one-issue/
Must be doing something right...my words about anti-foodbank MP & his wages being twisted by the Tories today into trying to label me an education 'snob''....what a joke...🙄
They can't think of anything else to have a go at....
HOWEVER, I'll let my record in education do the talking inc
helping 500,000 children with their maths during lockdown...giving bursaries for young people and schools with disadvantaged backgrounds like mine....helping Blunkett introduce the Numeracy Hour....governor of inner city school......education books for decades.....recognised STEM Ambassador....I could go on.
Always a believer in encouraging young people to achieve their best, in whichever way that comes around, to be strong and happy and confident.
Anything else being espoused is offensive, targeted, predictable Right Wing nonsense.
PS Tories....this attack won't work. It just makes us more determined.
PPS thanks for all your support...we'll beat them in the end ❤️❤️
Please RT