Nicola Sturgeon's WhatsApp messages expose bitter SNP rift over 'awful' NHS recovery plan
Nicola Sturgeon's private WhatsApp messages have been released after a four-year transparency battle, exposing a rift at the heart of the SNP.
The former First Minister said she was "furious" with then-Health Minister Humza Yousaf's NHS Recovery Plan during the Covid pandemic—just days before she publicly endorsed it.
The Express reports that the messages reveal Sturgeon's harsh behind-the-scenes criticism of Yousaf's work, even as she later described the plan as a bold step forward.
In one exchange, Yousaf admitted the plan was off track, telling her: "From the beginning this document hasn't been in the right place, far too policy heavy and not focused enough on ambitious outcomes that are easily understood by the public. That said, buck stops with me so we will work hard this week to get a plan that meets your expectations."
Sturgeon replied bluntly: "Yeah it needed a lot of work."
The next day, she wrote: "I'm reading a revised draft of the recovery plan and still feeling need to translate parts of into acceptable English – and that is before I reach any substance. It's v frustrating."
She added: "I'm going to spend some serious time today trying to get this plan into even a semi decent shape, but I'm pretty furious that they have sent it to me again in such a poor state."
Yousaf responded: "After this meeting with bereaved families I'm about to go into I'll get back onto the team. I am obv happy to speak to you to hear specific concerns."
To which Sturgeon shot back: "My specific concern is that it's awful."
Privately, Yousaf also told Public Health Minister Maree Todd: "Forgive me I'm behind on papers (story of my life) have had to rewrite the NHS recovery plan this week as FM took a hatchet to it."
Yet just eight days later, Sturgeon launched the recovery plan, praising it as one that would "deliver an NHS that is innovative, sustainable and stronger than ever before."
The plan faced immediate backlash. Critics from both political and medical communities called it inadequate and lacking substance.
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Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "Nicola Sturgeon was right about one thing – this NHS Recovery Plan was useless. Her brutal slapdowns expose the chaos and dysfunction at the heart of the SNP."
Conservative deputy spokesperson on mental wellbeing, Tony Whittle, added: "Our NHS is still suffering the devastating consequences of Humza Yousaf's dire post-pandemic proposals."
A Scottish Government spokesperson defended the plan, saying: "The NHS Recovery Plan committed more than £1 billion to help the health service deal with the continuing impact of the pandemic."
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