Yousaf apologises for ‘shortcomings’ with release of Covid inquiry WhatsApp messages

Opposition leaders accuse first minister and deputy of misleading Holyrood after they are forced to retract statements about message requests

Humza Yousaf has apologised for shortcomings" with the release of government WhatsApp messages, as he faced new secrecy allegations over legal advice and private emails written during the Covid crisis.

The first minister apologised unreservedly" on Thursday after the UK Covid inquiry challenged the accuracy of parliamentary statements made last week by him and his deputy, Shona Robison, about its requests for access to WhatsApp messages.