Holyrood Erupts as Swinney Faces 'Lying' Allegations Over NHS Hospital Scandal
First Minister John Swinney has been accused of misleading the Scottish parliament and lying directly to voters over the ongoing NHS infections scandal centred on Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus. The explosive allegations suggest that Mr Swinney fabricated information when questioned about claims that political pressure led to the premature opening of the £1 billion super-hospital.
Opponents Demand Truthful Correction in Parliament
Political opponents are now demanding that Mr Swinney correct his official comments and return to Holyrood to finally provide a truthful account of the circumstances surrounding the hospital's controversial opening. The calls follow a dramatic confrontation during First Minister's Questions, where Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar presented a document alleging that political pressure was indeed felt by officials, with no consideration given to delaying the opening despite known issues with completion and operation.
Discrepancy Emerges Over Inquiry Evidence
In response to Mr Sarwar's challenge, Mr Swinney told MSPs that inquiry lawyer Fred Mackintosh KC had stated there was no evidence of external pressure on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to open the hospital early. However, opponents quickly pounced when it emerged that Mr Swinney's comments did not accurately reflect the counsel's actual statements. Mr Sarwar has since written to the First Minister, stating bluntly: That quote does not exist. It was invented.
In his strongly-worded letter, Mr Sarwar added: In doing so, you did not misinterpret the evidence. You fabricated it. You pre-empted the conclusions of an independent public inquiry and placed misinformation on the official record of parliament. You have misled parliament and you have lied to the people of Scotland.
Inquiry Transcripts Reveal Narrower Scope
Rather than stating broadly that there was no evidence of external pressure, the inquiry lawyer's comments appear to have been narrower in scope, limited specifically to evidence from health board witnesses. Transcripts show Mr Mackintosh stating: As far as I can recollect... there was no evidence from the senior [NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde] people involved in opening the hospital about pressure, either from them or from anyone else.
He continued: There's pressure in the sense that it would be a good idea to meet the target. But we didn't detect, in the evidence, pressure in the sense of, 'Open it earlier than was planned'.
Scandal Background and Recent Admissions
The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which heard closing submissions last week, has been examining the design and construction of both the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children on the same Glasgow campus. The inquiry was launched following deaths linked to infections, including that of 10-year-old Milly Main in 2017.
In a significant development, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde bosses recently told the inquiry that they had identified a causal connection between contaminated water at the super-hospital and serious infections in young cancer patients. The board also admitted that pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget, conceding that patients were admitted too early.
Political Fallout and Government Response
Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane added to the criticism, stating: There's mounting evidence of political pressure to open the hospital before it was ready, so John Swinney needs to urgently correct the record in parliament.
A Scottish Government spokesman responded: At no point during First Minister's Questions, did the First Minister say that he was directly quoting the Counsel. The published transcript on the Inquiry's website clearly sets out the relevant evidence.
Mr Sarwar concluded in his letter that by misrepresenting the inquiry counsel's statements, the First Minister had shown contempt not only for families and whistleblowers, but for the Inquiry itself, deepening the political crisis surrounding one of Scotland's most significant healthcare controversies.
