Scotland’s clinical director quits to seek ‘new challenges’
Scotland’s most high-profile medic during the pandemic is stepping down after the UK Covid Inquiry was shown private messages in which he attacked opposition politicians.
Prof Jason Leitch will leave his role as national clinical director at the end of April. He became a household name in Scotland during the pandemic as he conducted many of the daily televised briefings with Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister at the time.
The former dentist won widespread praise for his communication skills and Ms Sturgeon led tributes to him, saying he was a “key part” of her team and a “reassuring presence for many across the country”.
His departure comes after he faced criticism over the mass deletion of his WhatApp messages dating from the pandemic.
A message retrieved from someone else showed him saying: “WhatsApp deletion is a pre-bed ritual.” This occurred less than 24 hours after Boris Johnson announced the UK public inquiry.
In a chat with Humza Yousaf shortly after the May 2021 Holyrood election, he accused a Conservative MSP of being “rude” and “harrumphing like a child”, and described a Labour MSP as a “smart-arse”.
Prof Leitch passed on to Mr Yousaf the details of a conversation he had had with Anas Sarwar, in which he said the Scottish Labour leader complained about two of his new MSPs.
It also emerged he advised Mr Yousaf how to get round Ms Sturgeon’s rules on wearing a face mask at a dinner he was attending on Nov 19, 2021.
Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory chairman, said: “Jason Leitch’s position became untenable when damning revelations about him were first revealed at the Covid inquiry.”
He said Prof Leitch had “belatedly done the right thing by resigning” and said the SNP “must guarantee that the next person in this crucial public-facing role fully restores confidence among the public.”
Announcing his departure, Prof Leitch said: “The Covid pandemic was an unprecedented challenge for all countries and I am proud of my colleagues inside and outside Government for their incredible work.
“It was a privilege to be able to communicate with the public so directly and be part of that co-ordinated response, and I will forever be grateful for the public’s attention and willingness to follow the guidance – it saved lives.”
Prof Leitch, who has held the role since Jan 2015, said he wanted to look “for new challenges” and to spend more time with charities he worked with. He will also leave his post at NHS Tayside at the end of April.
The Baptist is a board member of the Nazareth Trust, which runs a hospital and nursing school in Northern Israel, and the Indian Rural Evangelical Fellowship, which runs an orphanage, college and nursing school in south-east India.
‘A valued adviser’
Ms Sturgeon wished him “all the very best for the future”, saying: “I always valued the advice and support he gave me, first as health secretary and then FM.”
Mr Yousaf said: “He played a huge role in helping me and fellow ministers navigate the Covid pandemic by providing advice to help reach the best decisions, and by communicating so well with the public. I of course wish him every success in the future.”
In messages shown to the public inquiry, Mr Yousaf told Prof Leitch in Nov 2021 he knew that he did not have to wear a mask when seated.
However, he was not sure about the rules around whether he needed one when “standing talking to folk”, despite being the health secretary at the time.
Prof Leitch replied: “Officially yes. But literally no one does. Have a drink in your hands at ALL times. Then you’re exempt. So if someone comes over and you stand, lift your drink.”
Three days beforehand Ms Sturgeon had used a Covid statement to the Scottish Parliament to continue wearing face coverings in “when moving about in hospitality” settings.
