Former First Minister Rejects Pressure Claims Over Hospital Opening
Nicola Sturgeon has issued a firm denial against suggestions that she applied pressure to open Glasgow's flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital before it was ready, describing such claims as "completely untrue." The former First Minister released a statement on Friday evening addressing allegations that have emerged during the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.
Mother's Plea for Truth After Daughter's Death
Kimberly Darroch, whose 10-year-old daughter Milly Main died in 2017 after contracting an infection at the Royal Hospital for Children's cancer ward within the QEUH campus, had earlier urged Ms Sturgeon to "come forward and be honest" about what she knew ahead of the facility's opening. Speaking at a press conference alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Ms Darroch expressed her ongoing quest for answers.
"We don't actually know who applied pressure, it's really not for me to say," she stated. "I do believe Nicola Sturgeon knows something, my message to her is to come forward and be honest."
Health Board Admits Environmental Factors
The controversy centres on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's closing submission to the inquiry, which acknowledged last week that the hospital environment likely contributed to infections and revealed that "pressure" was applied to ensure the facility opened on time in 2015. The hospital was commissioned while Ms Sturgeon served as health secretary and opened during her tenure as First Minister.
Ms Darroch welcomed the health board's changed stance but expressed frustration at the timing. "Given the evidence we have heard throughout this inquiry and subsequent closing submissions heard this week, I feel strongly that this is the position GGC should have taken six years ago," she said.
Sturgeon's Response and Inquiry Context
In her statement, Ms Sturgeon expressed sympathy for affected families while maintaining her position. "I understand Ms Darroch's determination to get answers, and my thoughts are very much with her and others affected by the situation at QEUH," she said. "Any suggestion that I applied pressure for the hospital to open before it was ready or that I had any knowledge of safety concerns at that time are completely untrue."
The former First Minister emphasised that the independent public inquiry was established during her leadership to address these concerns. "The inquiry has had sight of all relevant material and has also been able to take evidence from any individual with insight or information it thought necessary for its work," she added.
Political Reactions and Whistleblower Recognition
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar paid tribute to three doctors who raised concerns about the hospital - Dr Teresa Inkster, Dr Penelope Redding and Dr Christine Peters - describing them as "three amazing, inspiring, strong women that were willing to risk their jobs, willing to risk their professional reputations."
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has been pressing the Scottish Government for answers about who exerted pressure on the health board. Speaking to reporters, he questioned: "Was it the Scottish government? Was it then first minister Nicola Sturgeon? Was it any other minister? Was it the civil service?"
The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the hospital's opening and subsequent infection issues, with affected families awaiting its final report for what they hope will be comprehensive answers about what went wrong at Glasgow's super-hospital.
