The SNP Government is embroiled in a secrecy row after refusing to publish files relating to high-level talks between chief medical officers on the pandemic.
Ministers said there had to be a “safe space” for “emergency discussions” between officials and claimed the public interest was served by protecting these relationships.
Labour MSP Neil Findlay said: “It is completely unacceptable to claim it is not in the “public interest” to publish these documents.
The Government was asked for a list of meetings between the chief medical officers in Scotland and England on covid-19 between January 24th and March 9th.
The period covered the early planning to combat coronavirus, which critics believe resulted in mistakes being made.
Copies of pre-meeting briefings, agenda, notes and minutes, as well as action points, were also requested.
The Government response confirmed 17 calls took place which included England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty and Catherine Calderwood, who was his Scottish counterpart until she resigned for breaking lockdown rules.
The release also highlighted two face-to-face meetings between Calderwood and senior health figures in England.
However, the Government declined to hand over any documents produced in relation to these meetings.
“We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government.
“However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the working relationships with other Public Bodies, Health Boards and governments and ensuring that there is a safe space for emergency discussions regarding the ongoing pandemic and ensuring that the Scottish Government is able to respond effectively.”
Findlay said: “The Scottish Government talk about wanting to be open and transparent, yet once again they refuse to publish minutes of key meetings between the former CMO and her UK counterparts. Covid-19 is one of the biggest health crises of the last 50 years – the public must be able to scrutinise the advice and decisions made.”
