Question reference: S6W-02638
- Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 9 September 2021
-
Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the COVID-19 Inquiry will assess possible errors and criminal negligence that may have been made in the care of COVID-19 victims in home care settings.
Answer
Public inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005 do not determine civil or criminal liability. Those are matters for the courts.
The Lord Advocate is responsible for the investigations of deaths. This function is wholly independent of the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government is currently inviting views from the public on aims and principles for the Covid public inquiry, to help shape the terms of reference for the inquiry. A mailbox where views can be shared has been set up and will remain open up to 30 September. We are also arranging meetings with key stakeholders, including representatives of those bereaved during the pandemic, who remain at the centre of our engagement.