More details of the long-awaited public inquiry into Scotland's handling of the coronavirus pandemic have finally been announced.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed in August a judge-led review would be commissioned to examine how the authorities responded to the covid crisis that rocked the world last year.
John Swinney today revealed the inquiry will be led by Lady Poole and will be tasked at looking at 12 specific subjects covering the period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.
The final report - which is expected to take years to complete - will offer criticism on what went wrong during the early stages of the pandemic as well as offering recommendations on future public health preparations.
Among the more controversial issues that will be examined is the failure to get enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospital and care home staff in the first months of lockdown.
The discharging of elderly hospital patients to care homes in the first months of 2020 will also be closely scrutinised.
A report based on Crown Office figures found that 3,400 care home residents in Scotland had died as a result of coronavirus.
There have been more than 10,000 Covid-related deaths in Scotland and about a third have occurred in care homes.
The Crown Office's data is part of a separate investigation to determine if the deaths should be the subject of a fatal accident inquiry or prosecution.
The Deputy First Minister told MSPs: "I am announcing the establishment of a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act to examine the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland.
“I am grateful to everyone who has shared their views on what the inquiry should look into, in particular bereaved families and those who have lost friends and colleagues.
"Their input has been key in developing the inquiry’s terms of reference.
“From my own and the First Minister’s interactions with Lady Poole, I am in no doubt that she has the necessary leadership skills, integrity and deep technical knowledge to undertake this inquiry.
"Her expertise in administrative and human rights law is exactly in line with our expectations of a human rights-based approach to the inquiry.
“We are committed to working with the UK Government to develop the approach to the UK-wide inquiry and expect the chair of the Scottish public inquiry to coordinate with the chair of the UK-wide inquiry.”
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