Lord Advocate WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI release

Information requested

Dorothy Bain KC What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Response

We have interpreted the period covered by your request to be from 18 June 2021 (the date on which Dorothy Bain KC was appointed Lord Advocate) until 18 April 2022, which is the date on which remaining Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in Scotland.

We have also interpreted your request to relate to Whatsapp messages sent or received by Dorothy Bain KC in the exercise of her functions as Lord Advocate.

The Lord Advocate confirmed at paragraph 98 of her written witness statement to the UK Covid 19 Inquiry (INQ000361287.pdf (covid19.public-inquiry.uk)) that she did not use Whatsapp or other messaging platforms, texts or messages to have contact with the First Minister and other Ministers, senior officials or special advisers to discuss Covid 19 matters or make decisions. This is a notice under section 17 of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The Lord Advocate is also the independent head of the systems of prosecution and investigation of deaths in Scotland. This is a notice under section 17 that the Scottish Government does not hold information which is held by the Lord Advocate as head of the systems of prosecution and investigation of deaths. Any request for information relating to those functions should be made to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (FOI@copfs.gov.uk)

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.