working on the independence been working on the independence referendum had at the start of the pandemic being redeployed to other work. m5 pandemic being redeployed to other work. ~ , ,, ., ., , pandemic being redeployed to other work. a ,, ., ., , ., ., work. ms sturgeon, that is not a comment _ work. ms sturgeon, that is not a comment. the _ work. ms sturgeon, that is not a comment. the minutes - work. ms sturgeon, that is not a comment. the minutes read, . work. ms sturgeon, that is not a - comment. the minutes read, agreed, that means _ comment. the minutes read, agreed, that means cabinet _ comment. the minutes read, agreed, that means cabinet agreed, _ comment. the minutes read, agreed, that means cabinet agreed, doesn't l that means cabinet agreed, doesn't it? so— that means cabinet agreed, doesn't it? so are _ that means cabinet agreed, doesn't it? so are you— that means cabinet agreed, doesn't it? so are you saying _ that means cabinet agreed, doesn't it? so are you saying you _ that means cabinet agreed, doesn't it? so are you saying you would - that means cabinet agreed, doesn'tl it? so are you saying you would have overruled _ it? so are you saying you would have overruled cabinet? _ it? so are you saying you would have overruled cabinet? let— it? so are you saying you would have overruled cabinet?— overruled cabinet? let me be clear what i mean- _ overruled cabinet? let me be clear what i mean. it _ overruled cabinet? let me be clear what i mean. it was _ overruled cabinet? let me be clear what i mean. it was clearly - overruled cabinet? let me be clear what i mean. it was clearly some l overruled cabinet? let me be clear l what i mean. it was clearly some cab billie comment made on that cabinet meeting that said, maybe we should think about starting to restart work on independence. remember, this is a point where we had, going into the summer of 2020 where cases were falling at... its not a comment, it's an agreement by cabinet? _ its not a comment, it's an agreement b cabinet? �* its not a comment, it's an agreement by cabinet?— by cabinet? agreed that consideration _ by cabinet? agreed that consideration had - by cabinet? agreed that consideration had beenl by cabinet? agreed that - consideration had been given. if somebody came to me afterwards and said we have done a process of consideration and we think we should restart working on independence, i would have said i didn't want to do that. i would have said to cabinet, let's not do that, it is not the right time to do that. more

materially, that didn't happen. nobody came to me and said, you know, if that said agreed to restart work on independence, that would mean something much more than that it does. there was not a process of consideration of that then saw somebody come to me with a proposal to restart work on independence. i'm sorry, i am genuinely sorry if it sounds like i'm dancing on the head of a pin, i sounds like i'm dancing on the head ofa pin, i don't sounds like i'm dancing on the head of a pin, i don't mean to. but the key point here is that we did not restart work on independence at that point, oranywhere restart work on independence at that point, or anywhere near that point. if it were to be decided on the basis — if it were to be decided on the basis of— if it were to be decided on the basis of the evidence before this inquiry— basis of the evidence before this inquiry that there was a politicisation of the pandemic, and that you _ politicisation of the pandemic, and that you had used the pandemic as a meahs_ that you had used the pandemic as a means of— that you had used the pandemic as a means of pursuing your goal of scottish— means of pursuing your goal of scottish independence, that would be a considerable betrayal of the scottish— a considerable betrayal of the scottish people, would not? with resect, i scottish people, would not? with respect. i don't — scottish people, would not? it? respect, i don't believe that conclusion would fairly be reached.

given your position, it's not whether— given your position, it's not whether you did it or not, if it had been _ whether you did it or not, if it had been decided that was not right, it would _ been decided that was not right, it would be _ been decided that was not right, it would be a — been decided that was not right, it would be a considerable betrayal of the scottish people, would it not? if i had _ the scottish people, would it not? if i had at— the scottish people, would it not? if i had at any point decided to politicise a global pandemic that was robbing people of their lives and livelihoods, and educational opportunities, and had decided in the face of that to prioritise campaigning for independence, yes, it absolutely would have been, as you described,. which is why i didn't do it and would not have done it. abs, didn't do it and would not have done it. ~ ., didn't do it and would not have done it-_ certainly- _ the inquiry going to a break rather abruptly. they have been hearing from the former first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon. they also

hearfrom her earlier scotland, nicola sturgeon. they also hear from her earlier today. she scotland, nicola sturgeon. they also hearfrom her earlier today. she has admitted to the covid inquiry that she did delete whatsapp messages sent during the pandemic, giving evidence to the inquiry, she added that she had managed to retrieve some copies to submit to the hearings, and that she had not used in formal communications like whatsapp to have any substantial discussions. you can hear more about what has happened earlier today from our correspondence lorna gordon, who has been following developments. nicola sturgeon, scotland's main decision key communicator for scotland's pandemic response. what happened to your whatsapp? arriving to answer questions that have been stacking up since the hearings in edinburgh began. for some who lost loved ones, this a chance for the former first minister, who they described as scotland's master of spin, to be held to account. nicola sturgeon stands accused of a betrayal of the many promises that she made,

including that nothing would be off—limits in the public inquiries. her industrial deletion of whatsapps, along with those in her inner circle, begs the question why, when she knew a public inquiry was on its way. why, from january 2020 to the 1st of september 2020, are there zero whatsapps and, rather conveniently, none from her inner circle? the very first question she faced, how decisions on covid were made, recorded, discussed. is it still your position today that you and the scottish government were open, transparent and accountable in your actions, notjust in your words, at all times during the pandemic response in scotland? yes, that is still my position. i did not do government business through informal messaging in relation to covid or any other matter. nicola sturgeon gave public assurances in the midst of the pandemic that all of her communications would be kept.

can you guarantee to the bereaved families that you will disclose e—mails, whatsapps, private e—mails if you have been using them, whatever, that nothing will be off—limits in this inquiry? i think if you understand statutory inquiries you would know that even if i was not prepared to give that assurance — which, for the avoidance of doubt i am — i would not have the ability. this will be a judge—led statutory public inquiry. the inquiry has seen some of whatsapp, informal messages, submitted by others, but what of those on her phone? did you delete them? yes. as far as the other messages that you can produce between you and all these others, you deleted those as well? in the manner and after the process i have set out, yes. the inquiry was shown evidence that decisions over restrictions were discussed at length over whatsapp, but mrjenn

insisted it was a cabinet where decisions were made — decisions, she said earlier, that were beyond anything ever experienced before. i was the first minister when the pandemic struck. there is a large part of me that wishes i had not been. but i was and i wanted to be the best first minister i could be during that period. it is for others to judge the extent to which i succeeded. her performance is not the sole focus of this inquiry, even if it is being scrutinised here today. lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh. we will be getting more live on the covid inquiry from our correspondence very shortly. i want to go back to another of the top stories today, the government has published the details of the deal it struck with the democratic unionists to restore power in northern ireland. devolved government at stormont has been suspended for

almost two years because of a boycott by the dup obara post brassart trade arrangements. the party leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, says the new deal will end checks on most goods entering northern ireland from great britain. chris heaton—harris said that sticking to the deal will guarantee the free flow of goods across the united kingdom. flow of goods across the united kinudom. ., ., flow of goods across the united kinadom. ., ._ ., flow of goods across the united kinadom. ., . , , , kingdom. today i am publishing the details of the _ kingdom. today i am publishing the details of the deal, _ kingdom. today i am publishing the details of the deal, but _ kingdom. today i am publishing the details of the deal, but also - kingdom. today i am publishing the details of the deal, but also laying l details of the deal, but also laying out the statutory instruments that enshrine it in law. those instruments will be debated tomorrow, subject to a change in business in the future with the house. it will be a immediate show of good faith. once they are passed by the house, i trust we will have the conditions to move onwards and see ministers back in stormont swiftly. and as they take their places, they will face massive challenges. so do they have the tools to grasp them. not least in

moving to resolve the public sector payissues moving to resolve the public sector pay issues that have been so disruptive. as well as that, they will be able to grasp the opportunities offered by its unique economic position, under the goodwill that northern ireland enjoys across the world. and, mr speaker, it is only right that an important part of the will will be seeing michelle o'neill taking her place as first minister, following a democratic mandate she won in the may 2022 assembly election. recognising that the first and deputy first ministers remain equal in law. i look forward to working with a new first minister, deputy first minister, all of their colleagues in the northern ireland executive to improve the lives of people from all backgrounds, unionist, nationalist or other. as we move forward swiftly to give effect to our commitments, i urge the parties to do the same thing in notifying the speaker of the northern ireland assembly to recall

stormont, elect the first and deputy first minister and appoint all ministers to the executive. mr speaker, it is time to build on the progress of the last 25 years. today, we have presented a plan that will deliver the long—term change northern ireland needs. it will strengthen northern ireland's place in our union and guarantee the free flow of goods across the entire united kingdom. it's only by sticking to this plan that we will become a more united and prosperous country together. the become a more united and prosperous country together-— country together. the shadow secretary of _ country together. the shadow secretary of state _ country together. the shadow secretary of state for - country together. the shadow| secretary of state for northern ireland, hilary benn, welcomed the plan in the house of commons and confirmed labour will vote for the legislation. he highlighted the need for cross—party collaboration to prevent institutions from collapsing in future, to ensure stability in northern ireland. i in future, to ensure stability in northern ireland.— in future, to ensure stability in northern ireland. . . ., northern ireland. i have always made it clear that we _ northern ireland. i have always made it clear that we believe _ northern ireland. i have always made it clear that we believe in _ northern ireland. i have always made it clear that we believe in northern i it clear that we believe in northern ireland's place in the internal market of the united kingdom and

that we support any practical measures that reinforce this, which are consistent with the wind framework, which we also support, and which has the support of nationalists, as well as unionists. on that basis, we will vote for the legislation. the money he has announced, including the funding formula and the stabilisation funding, will enable a restored executive and assembly to give public sector workers a pay rise, which they have waited too long for, started to tackle the huge challenges facing communities and public services, and make the most of the great economic potential of northern ireland. we also welcome the plans to defer and then write off stormont�*s overspend, provided that the executive provides a new fiscal sustainability plan. how quickly does he expect the money to be transferred, and when does he

think the new executive will produce a budget? finally, mr speaker, as we reflect on the importance of this moment, since the good friday agreement was signed the people of northern ireland have been without a devolved government for over a third of the time. does the right honourable gentleman agree with me that we need to work together to prevent the institutions from collapsing again? all of us, in the house. stability is everything. especially to the people of northern ireland, after all they have been through. and we all have a duty now to ensure that it injuries. idllizl through. and we all have a duty now to ensure that it injuries.— to ensure that it in'uries. dup mp belfast east. — to ensure that it injuries. dup mp belfast east, gavin _ to ensure that it injuries. dup mp belfast east, gavin robinson. - to ensure that it injuries. dup mp belfast east, gavin robinson. he| belfast east, gavin robinson. he listed a series of changes that he said his party was previously told would not be possible. we said his party was previously told would not be possible.— said his party was previously told would not be possible. we were told the windsor —

would not be possible. we were told the windsor framework _ would not be possible. we were told the windsor framework could - would not be possible. we were told the windsor framework could not i would not be possible. we were toldj the windsor framework could not be reopened. we have succeeded. though we were told there would be no change in the green lane, the green lane is gone. where we were told there would be no removal of barriers on trade between gb and northern ireland, we have removed all tracks within the uk internal market system, save for those ordinarily required for criminality and the prevention of smuggling. and we were told there would be no legal change to the windsor framework, or that eu text. yet, as part of the progress of trust and commitment, as we proceed, colleagues will have noticed just yesterday the publication of over 60 pages of legislative change to text on a european perspective which will allow rest of the world products, and the benefits of uk wide trade deals to truly be available on a uk wide basis. so, we are very grateful

to the secretary of state, to the prime minister who was here, and for the offers of support and commitment we have had from his majesty's loyal opposition and the leader of the himself. we are grateful for that. we are grateful that we have got to this place today, that we have turned the impossible into the possible. turned the impossible into the -ossible. , ., ., , turned the impossible into the -ossible. , ., ~ possible. the dup for east antrim, sammy wilson. — possible. the dup for east antrim, sammy wilson, accused _ possible. the dup for east antrim, sammy wilson, accused the - possible. the dup for east antrim, - sammy wilson, accused the government of being brexit betraying.— of being brexit betraying. despite the aains of being brexit betraying. despite the gains which _ of being brexit betraying. despite the gains which my _ of being brexit betraying. despite the gains which my party - of being brexit betraying. despite the gains which my party leader l of being brexit betraying. despite i the gains which my party leader and deputy— the gains which my party leader and deputy party leader have gained in these _ deputy party leader have gained in these negotiations, the fact remains that a _ these negotiations, the fact remains that a northern ireland still with you demand border posts being built, which _ you demand border posts being built, which will— you demand border posts being built, which will create a border within our country, and when the northern ireland _ our country, and when the northern ireland assembly sets, ministers and assembly _ ireland assembly sets, ministers and assembly members will be expected by law to adhere to and implement laws

which _ law to adhere to and implement laws which are _ law to adhere to and implement laws which are made in brussels, which they had _ which are made in brussels, which they had no— which are made in brussels, which they had no say over and no ability to amend, — they had no say over and no ability to amend, and no ability to stop. this is— to amend, and no ability to stop. this is the — to amend, and no ability to stop. this is the result of this spineless, weak kneed, brexit betraying government refusing to take on— betraying government refusing to take on the eu and its interference in northern— take on the eu and its interference in northern ireland. the government admitted. _ in northern ireland. the government admitted, on page 27 of the command paper, _ admitted, on page 27 of the command paper, there is an indication that there _ paper, there is an indication that there will— paper, there is an indication that there will be a legal requirement that the — there will be a legal requirement that the new legislation is assessed as to whether it impacts on trade between — as to whether it impacts on trade between northern ireland and gb, and if so, ministers have to make a statement _ if so, ministers have to make a statement. we have the minister of state, _ statement. we have the minister of state, only— statement. we have the minister of state, only this week, saying that does _ state, only this week, saying that does not — state, only this week, saying that does not mean that the uk government cannot— does not mean that the uk government cannot introduce laws which diverged from the _ cannot introduce laws which diverged from the eu laws which apply in northern— from the eu laws which apply in northern ireland. what is it? is northern— northern ireland. what is it? is northern ireland. what is it? is

northern ireland going to find it has the — northern ireland going to find it has the ability to stay tied to the united _ has the ability to stay tied to the united kingdom, orwillthe united kingdom, or will the government united kingdom, orwillthe government proceed happily to change laws here, _ government proceed happily to change laws here, regardless of the impact it has— laws here, regardless of the impact it has on— laws here, regardless of the impact it has on northern ireland? gn laws here, regardless of the impact it has on northern ireland?- it has on northern ireland? on bbc ulster, dup — it has on northern ireland? on bbc ulster, dup leader _ it has on northern ireland? on bbc ulster, dup leader sir _ it has on northern ireland? on bbc ulster, dup leader sirjeffrey - ulster, dup leader sirjeffrey donaldson said the deal removed the irish sea border. irate donaldson said the deal removed the irish sea border.— irish sea border. we believe that where goods _ irish sea border. we believe that where goods are _ irish sea border. we believe that where goods are moving - irish sea border. we believe that where goods are moving within l irish sea border. we believe that i where goods are moving within the united kingdom and its internal market, there should not be checks. there should not be customs declarations. that is what i border means. they should not be a border within the uk internal market. these proposals remove that border. there will no longer be checks on goods moving between great britain and northern ireland, except where, as happens across all of the uk, there is smuggling or criminality, then, of course, the customs will deal with that criminality. as a matter of routine, there will be no checks, no physical tracks common identity checks come on goods moving from great britain to northern ireland,

staying within the united kingdom. damian grammaticas has all on this from westerns. irate damian grammaticas has all on this from westerns.— damian grammaticas has all on this from westerns. we have detail, not the final legal _ from westerns. we have detail, not the final legal text, _ from westerns. we have detail, not the final legal text, but _ from westerns. we have detail, not the final legal text, but the - the final legal text, but the detail in it. there are all of the bets that this is broken down into. essentially, if i can try and summarise that, what you have is a sort of core which is dealing with theissue, sort of core which is dealing with the issue, one of the issues that has so exercised unionists, the cheques that have been implemented on goods and items moving from the rest of the uk into northern ireland. they viewed that as an internal trade order, something that weakens the bonds of the united kingdom. so they have wanted those reduced. those were already coming down under the arrangements put in place by rishi sunak under the theme windsor framework. they were coming down to a minimum over time. that is

an ongoing process. what this lays out is the government plan which is now to do away with most of the paperwork that has to be done. there would still be some, and there would still be some tracks going on, on the basis of authorities decided to look at shipments, to see if there was any smuggling, any illegal goods and things like that. not doing away entirely, but reducing it further again. i should entirely, but reducing it further again. ishould repeat entirely, but reducing it further again. i should repeat it was going down pretty low. that is the one core thing, and that is what the dup were promising yesterday, that there would be no more checks on goods moving. the important thing there is those words, customs checks. there will still be monitoring going on, there will still be some enforcement mechanisms. the second thing is a whole package of measures designed to reassure unionists in northern

ireland with what you're about legislative measures, statutory instruments, that sort of legislative process, to reassure unionists about northern ireland's place in the uk, that it is linked into the uk. though sort of things are essentially there for reassurance, reaffirming things that are in the existing agreements, recognising northern ireland's place. those are an important part of the package. what we did in that debate that we heard in parliament was the sort of brought praise from the main opposition party, labour, the main opposition party, labour, the northern irish parties, the sdlp was saying this is to be welcomed because there is an agreement it should get power sharing back up and running in northern ireland. a few dissenting voices. those dissenting voices came from some within the

democratic unionists who don't like this and don't think it goes far enough, and also some conservatives who worry about the uk giving assurances to northern ireland that there won't be too much diversions, if you like, that would affect trade in northern ireland. they worry that would limit the uk ability to halve its own path in future, on regulations and trade, and they don't want the uk to see itself as having to stay too close to the way the european union does things. a couple of unhappy voices. but, broadly, a lot of support for this. the measures are essentially to do with trade, some to do with assurance. with trade, some to do with assurance-— with trade, some to do with assurance. , , ., , ., ., assurance. chris, this has moved a lot today. — assurance. chris, this has moved a lot today. we _ assurance. chris, this has moved a lot today, we have _ assurance. chris, this has moved a lot today, we have more _ assurance. chris, this has moved a lot today, we have more details i assurance. chris, this has moved a lot today, we have more details of| lot today, we have more details of the actual outline of what has been agreed, and some indication of where stormont may set again?— stormont may set again? saturday looks like the _ stormont may set again? saturday looks like the day _ stormont may set again? saturday looks like the day when _

stormont may set again? saturday looks like the day when northern l looks like the day when northern ireland will officially get its devolved government back after an absence of two years. it will be two years to the day since the institutions, in effect, collapsed, backin institutions, in effect, collapsed, back in 2022. the democratic unionist party first minister resigned from that position, meaning that evolution basically could not function. two years after that date on the 3rd of february, this saturday, there will be a new first minister at stormont, michelle o'neill, the sinn fein vice president. she will be the first irish nationalist to take up the position. she will be joined at the head of the northern ireland executive by a senior member of the democratic unionist party. we don't know who that will be. but that dup politician will be the deputy first minister. in real terms, the powers of the first and deputy first ministers are equal, they can't operate without the other, each has a veto over the other�*s official policy movements, as it were. but

the fact that you have one that has the fact that you have one that has the title first minister, the other has the title deputy first minister, that does matter, especially in a place like northern ireland, where titles on hold such import. the fact it is going to be sinn fein in the first minister's chair when the assembly meets on saturday and not the democratic unionist party as it has been for the last 20 years, that will be a major moment.— has been for the last 20 years, that will be a major moment. will be a ma'or moment. thank you, we will be will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the _ will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the following _ will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the following list - will be a major moment. thank you, we will be the following list of - we will be the following list of elements. the covid inquiry has resumed, nicola sturgeon is continuing to give her evidence.— nicola sturgeon is continuing to give her evidence. limitations or restrictions _ give her evidence. limitations or restrictions on _ give her evidence. limitations or restrictions on people _ give her evidence. limitations or restrictions on people coming i give her evidence. limitations or. restrictions on people coming into the country for public health grounds, that is a statutory position. i think, grounds, that is a statutory position. ithink, practically, we rely on border force, which is a reserved organisation, to deliver that in a practical sense. then there is obviously the case that as

we encountered later on, if there were differences between the two, one of the things that made it difficult for the scottish government, whether or not we thought it was desirable to take a different position, is if we may have had a different set of rules at glasgow airport, but people, if they wanted to avoid those restrictions, could fly into london and travel by rail or road. it was an area where the differences in power and responsibility were complicated by the practical realities. irate responsibility were complicated by the practical realities.— the practical realities. we have seen some _ the practical realities. we have seen some documentation - the practical realities. we havej seen some documentation that suggests that particular issue, going — suggests that particular issue, going to — suggests that particular issue, going to glasgow via manchester, it was an— going to glasgow via manchester, it was an issue early on when travel was an issue early on when travel was a _ was an issue early on when travel was a big — was an issue early on when travel was a big part of the decision making, _ was a big part of the decision making, it came back later on under humza _ making, it came back later on under humza yousaf's period as cabinet secretary — humza yousaf's period as cabinet secretary for health. could we look at in00002964. this is an exchange

of e-mails _ at in00002964. this is an exchange of e—mails which shows... we are going _ of e—mails which shows... we are going to _ of e—mails which shows... we are going to page six, please. 50, the page _ going to page six, please. 50, the page at— going to page six, please. 50, the page at the — going to page six, please. 50, the page at the top indicates the position— page at the top indicates the position here, as of the 20th of july, _ position here, as of the 20th of july, the — position here, as of the 20th of july, the deputy first minister was requesting a call to discuss international travel, and there were a number— international travel, and there were a number of— international travel, and there were a number of people who were involved or not _ a number of people who were involved or not page _ a number of people who were involved or not. page six, please. —— involved— or not. page six, please. —— involved in— or not. page six, please. —— involved in that. previous page, please. sorry. we can see here _ previous page, please. sorry. we can see here that— previous page, please. sorry. we can see here that it is an e—mail from the deputy— see here that it is an e—mail from the deputy first minister, mr swinneya _ the deputy first minister, mr swinney, to a number of people, including — swinney, to a number of people, including yourself, is that right?

we are — including yourself, is that right? we are on— including yourself, is that right? we are on the same page, the 19th of july, deputy first minister, and there _ july, deputy first minister, and there is— july, deputy first minister, and there is a — july, deputy first minister, and there is a number of people listed, one of— there is a number of people listed, one of whom is the first minister, and a _ one of whom is the first minister, and a number of others. some we have heard _ and a number of others. some we have heard from. _ and a number of others. some we have heard from, audrey mcdougall, etc. this is— heard from, audrey mcdougall, etc. this is an _ heard from, audrey mcdougall, etc. this is an e—mail in which some details — this is an e—mail in which some details around the discussion which the deputy first minister had been interested in having on international travel, interested in having on internationaltravel, i interested in having on international travel, i am extremely concerned _ international travel, i am extremely concerned about this. spain is now being _ concerned about this. spain is now being held — concerned about this. spain is now being held to a much higher level of scrutiny— being held to a much higher level of scrutiny and performance than other countries _ scrutiny and performance than other countries it— scrutiny and performance than other countries. if it is not added to the exemption — countries. if it is not added to the exemption list, ministers will have to explain— exemption list, ministers will have to explain why not, when it has an estimated — to explain why not, when it has an estimated violence rate of 0.15, compared — estimated violence rate of 0.15, compared to 0.33, when the decision not to— compared to 0.33, when the decision not to include the decision was taken — not to include the decision was taken. there is visible reaction from _ taken. there is visible reaction from the — taken. there is visible reaction from the spanish authorities to do whatever— from the spanish authorities to do whatever it takes to suppress

outbreaks. it won't matter how much ministers _ outbreaks. it won't matter how much ministers mightjustify it on health grounds, _ ministers mightjustify it on health grounds, the spanish government will conclude _ grounds, the spanish government will conclude it _ grounds, the spanish government will conclude it is entirely political. they— conclude it is entirely political. they won't forget. there is a real possibility— they won't forget. there is a real possibility they will never approve eu membership foran possibility they will never approve eu membership for an independent scotland _ eu membership for an independent scotland as a result. this is an e-mail— scotland as a result. this is an e—mail copied into you. to what extent— e—mail copied into you. to what extent were concerns about the possibility in the future that spain would _ possibility in the future that spain would block an application for eu membership by an independent scotland a factor in the decision—making around the spanish travel— decision—making around the spanish travel corridor? the}r decision-making around the spanish travel corridor?— travel corridor? they weren't. for me, this e-mail_ travel corridor? they weren't. for me, this e-mail is _ travel corridor? they weren't. for me, this e-mail is copied - travel corridor? they weren't. for me, this e-mail is copied to - travel corridor? they weren't. for me, this e-mail is copied to me, | travel corridor? they weren't. for| me, this e-mail is copied to me, i me, this e—mail is copied to me, i assume i would have seen it at the time, but i remembervery assume i would have seen it at the time, but i remember very well the decision—making around this. i think it was around the 10th ofjuly that travel corridors were introduced, and we had significant doubts about adding spain to that, because the prevalence of the virus at that time was higher in spain than it was in scotland. but that was moving. under over the next couple of weeks, i

think, if my memory serves me correctly, the change in scotland, these were decisions that were taken for public health reasons. they were difficult decisions, often very finely balanced decisions, and if that concern had been the one driving the position, then presumably great criticism, not least from our own airport sector of the time, we would not have kept spain off the travel corridors in the first place.— the first place. why is there discussion, _ the first place. why is there discussion, if— the first place. why is there discussion, if matters - the first place. why is there discussion, if matters are l the first place. why is there i discussion, if matters are only dressed — discussion, if matters are only dressed in _ discussion, if matters are only dressed in public health grounds, about— dressed in public health grounds, about the — dressed in public health grounds, about the possibility that the spanish government may conclude that there is— spanish government may conclude that there is a _ spanish government may conclude that there is a political aspect to things— there is a political aspect to things that they will not forget that they may vote, subsequently, against _ that they may vote, subsequently, against eu — that they may vote, subsequently, against eu membership for an independent scotland? why is that even part— independent scotland? why is that even part of discussions? it independent scotland? why is that even part of discussions?— independent scotland? why is that even part of discussions? it was not art of even part of discussions? it was not aart of m even part of discussions? it was not part of my consideration. _ even part of discussions? it was not part of my consideration. to - even part of discussions? it was not part of my consideration. to the - part of my consideration. to the best of my knowledge, i didn't have

any discussion of that nature. i didn't write that e—mail. i can't speakfor didn't write that e—mail. i can't speak for other people as to why that was written. what i can tell the inquiry, when i am answering questions, is that that was not the basis on which the discussion... not the way in which the decision was taken. these were finely balanced decisions on public health grounds, that clinical advisors would be inputting their own opinions too as well. ., inputting their own opinions too as well. . ., , ., , , inputting their own opinions too as well. . ., , . , , , inputting their own opinions too as well. . ., , , , ., well. page four, please. this is an e-mail chain- _ well. page four, please. this is an e-mail chain. yes. _ well. page four, please. this is an e-mail chain. yes. an _ well. page four, please. this is an e-mail chain. yes. an e-mail- well. page four, please. this is an| e-mail chain. yes. an e-mailfrom e—mail chain. yes. an e—mailfrom ken thomson— e—mail chain. yes. an e—mailfrom ken thomson to a number of people. it ken thomson to a number of people. it says. _ ken thomson to a number of people. it says, colleagues, you are mostly on call— it says, colleagues, you are mostly on call with— it says, colleagues, you are mostly on call with fm and other ministers, the fm _ on call with fm and other ministers, the fm agreed that we would give advice _ the fm agreed that we would give advice on — the fm agreed that we would give advice on the borders review of non-care — advice on the borders review of non—care home in covid case is being investigated —

non—care home in covid case is being investigated. we have to do this rapidly — investigated. we have to do this rapidly i— investigated. we have to do this rapidly. i will write to ministers and ask— rapidly. i will write to ministers and ask people to comment on contribute to that. is the position then that — contribute to that. is the position then that there was, on the 20th of july, shortly afterthis, quarantine requirements for spain that were lifted? _ requirements for spain that were lifted? l— requirements for spain that were lifted? ., �* ., ., lifted? i don't have the date in front of me. — lifted? i don't have the date in front of me, but _ lifted? i don't have the date in front of me, but i _ lifted? i don't have the date in front of me, but i know- lifted? i don't have the date in front of me, but i know it - lifted? i don't have the date in front of me, but i know it was | lifted? i don't have the date in| front of me, but i know it was a relatively short space of time between the scottish government not lifting them and lifting them. again, if memory serves me correctly, we very quickly reapplied them. i think all countries in the uk reapplied them. i them. i think all countries in the uk reapplied them.— uk reapplied them. i think what haaaened uk reapplied them. i think what happened is _ uk reapplied them. i think what happened is that _ uk reapplied them. i think what happened is that you _ uk reapplied them. i think what happened is that you agreed - uk reapplied them. i think what l happened is that you agreed with other— happened is that you agreed with other ministers that there should be a pause _ other ministers that there should be a pause to— other ministers that there should be a pause to the restriction. those were _ a pause to the restriction. those were reimposed from the 26th of july? _ were reimposed from the 26th of jul ? ., were reimposed from the 26th of jul ? . , ., . ., , july? the relative prevalence was chanaain. july? the relative prevalence was changing- we _ july? the relative prevalence was changing. we had _ july? the relative prevalence was changing. we had reached - july? the relative prevalence was changing. we had reached a - july? the relative prevalence was| changing. we had reached a point where we thought, on public health grounds, that it was appropriate to

add spain to be travel corridors, and then the data obviously changed that position. d0 and then the data obviously changed that position-— that position. do the consideration reaaardin that position. do the consideration regarding the _ that position. do the consideration regarding the political _ that position. do the consideration regarding the political implicationsj regarding the political implications connected to spain, mentioned in the previous— connected to spain, mentioned in the previous e—mail, feature on the call that is— previous e—mail, feature on the call that is being — previous e—mail, feature on the call that is being referred to? not previous e-mail, feature on the call that is being referred to?— that is being referred to? not that i can that is being referred to? not that i can recall- _ that is being referred to? not that i can recall. that _ that is being referred to? not that i can recall. that is _ that is being referred to? not that i can recall. that is not _ that is being referred to? not that i can recall. that is not my - i can recall. that is not my recollection.— i can recall. that is not my recollection. ., ., . recollection. you were the one that made the decision _ recollection. you were the one that made the decision to _ recollection. you were the one that made the decision to pause - recollection. you were the one that made the decision to pause the - made the decision to pause the restrictions, despite the fact that there _ restrictions, despite the fact that there was— restrictions, despite the fact that there was concern about the data on which _ there was concern about the data on which such— there was concern about the data on which such a — there was concern about the data on which such a decision might be made? at that _ which such a decision might be made? at that point, the data had reached a position where we felt we could make that decision. i would suggest, had the consideration that appears in the previous e—mail that was shown to me been guiding the decisions around this, we would not have taken the decision, which was extremely controversial at the time,

and attracted criticism, i think, for many people, including very hefty criticism from airports in scotland, an airport in the city. we would not have done that in the first place. the fact that we were, in the face of the controversy, prepared out was to continue to apply restrictions to spain at a time when other parts of the uk were not doing that, i would hope that would suggest that these were decisions driven by data and public health considerations. but the decision on the 25th july was a _ but the decision on the 25th july was a quarantine restriction should be lifted, _ was a quarantine restriction should be lifted, but they were reimposed on the _ be lifted, but they were reimposed on the 26th? | be lifted, but they were reimposed on the 26th?— on the 26th? i don't know if it is oassible on the 26th? i don't know if it is possible to _ on the 26th? i don't know if it is possible to put _ on the 26th? i don't know if it is possible to put on _ on the 26th? i don't know if it is possible to put on the _ on the 26th? i don't know if it is possible to put on the screen i on the 26th? i don't know if it is| possible to put on the screen the changing data at that time would have been. i remember at that period the data was changing, this isjuly 2020, we were, sadly, it was relatively short lived, but we had reached a low point in cases in

scotland at that point. spain had