Leitch rejects giving Yousaf a ‘work around’ to avoid Covid mask rules – inquiry

Scotland’s national clinical director has denied advising the current First Minister of a “work around” to mask rules during the pandemic.

Professor Jason Leitch appeared before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday as it takes evidence in Edinburgh over the Scottish Government’s handling of the pandemic.

In a shown WhatsApp exchange from November 2021 between Prof Leitch and Humza Yousaf – then serving as health secretary – at the inquiry, the minister asked about masking rules ahead of an event he was attending.

At the time, Covid rules in Scotland meant someone would not have to wear a mask