Former Scottish chief medical officer excused from UK Covid-19 Inquiry
Dr Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s former chief medical officer, has been excused indefinitely from giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Dr Calderwood, who served as CMO during the early stages of the pandemic under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was forced to resign in April 2020 after it was revealed that she had breached lockdown rules by travelling to her holiday home.
Baroness Heather Hallett, the chairwoman of the inquiry, has made the decision to excuse Dr Calderwood from further participation due to ill health. This means that Dr Calderwood will not be required to testify at Module 2A of the inquiry, which focuses on decision-making and political governance in Scotland during the pandemic.
In a statement on the inquiry website, Baroness Hallett explained that she had reviewed medical updates and concluded that Dr Calderwood should be excused from further involvement. She added that she would reassess the situation if there are any changes in the future.
Dr Calderwood did not provide evidence to the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry earlier this year, but she did participate in the UK inquiry in July last year, discussing Scotland’s preparedness for the pandemic. Despite her previous role, Dr Calderwood is no longer the national clinical director of the Centre for Sustainable Delivery at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank.
In summary, Dr Catherine Calderwood, the former chief medical officer of Scotland, has been excused from giving evidence at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry indefinitely due to ill health. Baroness Heather Hallett, the chairwoman of the inquiry, made the decision based on a review of medical updates. Dr Calderwood’s involvement in Module 2A of the inquiry, which focuses on decision-making and governance in Scotland during the pandemic, will no longer be required.