On October 31, 2020, the then-prime minister made the announcement of the second national lockdown on television during a conversation with her chief of staff, Liz Lloyd.
On October 31, 2020, the then-prime minister made the announcement of the second national lockdown on television during a conversation with her chief of staff, Liz Lloyd.
The UK government’s communications have angered Ms. Sturgeon, who said, “This is f excruciating—their comms are awful.”
“His utter incompetence in every sense is now offending me on behalf of politicians everywhere.”
On behalf of all special advisers worldwide, Ms. Lloyd stated that she was “offended”.
In response, Ms. Sturgeon said, “He is a f clown.”
The evidence provided by Ms. Lloyd coincides with continued examination of the communications ministers and officials exchanged during the pandemic.
Junior counsel for the investigation, Usman Tariq, emphasized a conversation from September 22, 2020.
Due to different Westminster regulations, Ms. Sturgeon sent a message to Ms. Lloyd just two hours before a briefing, saying: “We haven’t thought about weddings.” They are cutting back, but they’re unsure of how.
Ms. Lloyd, the special adviser, replied that since the Scottish government had raised the maximum number of guests to 20, they should “just leave it”.
Mr Tariq responded: “Is this not an example of a decision that was made very much at the last minute over WhatsApp between you and Nicola Sturgeon?”
Ms. Lloyd stated that since the decision had already been made in cabinet, she did not consider this to be a decision.
She denied that the message suggested the choice was “made on the hoof,” contending that adhering to the figures previously established by means of scientific evidence was a “more coherent” stance.
