Labour Demands Full Disclosure in Hospital Infection Scandal
Scottish Labour is escalating pressure on the Scottish Government by forcing a parliamentary vote demanding complete transparency regarding the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital infection scandal. The party has lodged an official motion calling for the immediate publication and preservation of all records connected to the facility's troubled history.
Motion Calls for Comprehensive Document Release
The Labour motion specifically demands disclosure of all communications and documents relating to contaminated water systems, ventilation problems, and what the party describes as the "premature opening" of the hospital complex. This includes emails, text messages, letters, official documents, and relevant WhatsApp communications from the period in question.
Scottish Labour has formally requested information about whether any records from this critical time have been deleted, seeking assurance that all evidence remains available for scrutiny. The parliamentary debate represents a significant escalation in the party's campaign for accountability.
Historical Context of the Hospital Inquiry
The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which recently heard closing submissions, has been investigating the design and construction of both the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the adjacent Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. This investigation was launched following multiple deaths linked to infections at the facility, including the tragic case of 10-year-old Milly Main in 2017.
The hospital first opened its doors in 2015 under the leadership of then-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, with John Swinney serving as deputy first minister and finance secretary, and Shona Robison as health secretary. The current political debate centers on what government officials knew about potential problems and when they became aware of them.
Political Leaders Clash Over Transparency
Labour leader Anas Sarwar has described the hospital situation as "the single biggest scandal in the history of devolution" and accused authorities of blocking families' search for answers. "Families seeking answers have been blocked at every turn by powerful people trying to protect themselves," Sarwar stated, adding that whistleblowers had faced intimidation for speaking out.
During First Minister's Questions last week, current First Minister John Swinney indicated willingness to publish relevant documents, though Labour remains skeptical about the government's commitment to full transparency. "John Swinney has failed to come clean about what the SNP Government knew, when it knew it, and what role it played in the premature opening of this hospital," Sarwar asserted.
Government Response and Inquiry Process
Health Secretary Neil Gray defended the government's approach, stating that the public inquiry represents the appropriate mechanism for uncovering the truth. "It is because we have instigated a public inquiry that, I believe, we are getting to the truth," Gray commented, emphasizing the need to allow inquiry chairman Lord Brodie space to consider all evidence properly.
Despite this assurance, Labour plans to renew its information requests during the parliamentary debate, maintaining that "sunlight is the best disinfectant" and that only complete disclosure can determine whether negligence or criminal incompetence contributed to the tragic outcomes at the hospital.
The parliamentary vote represents a crucial test of the Scottish Government's commitment to transparency and accountability in healthcare governance, with families of affected patients watching closely for meaningful action rather than political rhetoric.
