ALISTER Jack has failed to hand over a statement to the UK Covid Inquiry, sparking criticism from lawyers involved in the probe.
The Scottish Secretary was even given an extended deadline to submit his overdue statement to the inquiry but failed to do so.
Counsel revealed “concern” about the Tory MP’s missing statement to the inquiry this week.
The UK probe looking into the response to the pandemic will have a section on Scotland, with evidence gathered via a Rule 9 request - where the inquiry asks for evidence to be submitted.
But, Jack reportedly failed to submit his statement on time, despite an extension being granted.
An official document reads: “The Inquiry has agreed extensions for witness statements where this was considered necessary and appropriate, across all categories of Rule 9 requests issued.
“We wish to raise particular concern as regards the Rule 9 response from Alister Jack, the Secretary of State for Scotland.”
The initial August 18 deadline was extended to September 1.
“This statement remains overdue,” the document added.
Lawyer Aamer Anwar, acting on behalf of family members who died from Covid-19, said: “No one is above the law, and all parties whether those in the Scottish Government or the UK Government, must comply with the Inquiries requests for evidence.”
An SNP source said: "Alister Jack has a great deal of explaining to do about his failure to engage with the UK Covid Inquiry.”
A spokesperson for Jack said: "The Secretary of State for Scotland will submit his witness statement shortly. The Secretary of State’s representatives are in contact with the Inquiry.”
It comes after First Minister Humza Yousaf insisted that he had kept his WhatsApp messages from during the pandemic, but added it was Scottish Government policy to “routinely delete” such messages.
Reports in the Sunday Mail named Yousaf (below) and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon as senior figures who had allegedly not retained information from WhatsApp or other apps.
However, the FM disputed this suggestion and insisted ministers will be fully cooperating with the inquiry.
Last week, Jamie Dawson KC told the UK Covid Inquiry that “no messages” had been handed over by Scottish ministers to the probe.
The Scottish Government later said that they required a “legal basis” to hand over certain messages, after the inquiry expanded the scope of what it was requesting.
