Covid-19 Inquiry WhatsApp messages handover: FOI release

Information requested

1. How many WhatsApp messages have, as of 26th October 2023, been handed over to the UK or Scottish Covid-19 inquiries?

2. How many WhatsApp messages have, as of 26th October 2023, yet to “go through the appropriate process” before (potentially) being handed over to the UK or Scottish Covid-19 inquiries?

Response

1. As of 26 October 2023, 937 WhatsApp messages had been handed over to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Subsequently, on 15 November 2023, the Deputy First Minister stated that almost 28,000 WhatsApp messages have been handed over to the Inquiry. This statement is available from Official Report (parliament.scot).

2. The information you have requested is available from UK Covid-19 Inquiry - provision of information: Deputy First Minister statement - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Under s.25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.