Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has issued a stark warning to Government ministers, declaring "we are not going away" as he demands the official inquiry into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital be reopened. The call comes exactly 100 days before the Scottish Parliament election in May, with Sarwar urging Lord Brodie to question former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, former Deputy First Minister John Swinney, and former Health Secretary Shona Robison about their roles in the hospital's troubled history.
"Criminal Incompetence" at Glasgow Hospital
The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which concluded its closing submissions last week, has been examining the design and construction of both the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) on the same Glasgow campus. The investigation was launched following multiple deaths linked to infections at the facility, including the tragic case of 10-year-old Milly Main in 2017.
Speaking with forceful conviction, Sarwar stated: "I believe what has happened at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is criminal incompetence. It's negligence, it's criminal incompetence, and those responsible must be held to account."
Political Accountability Missing from Inquiry
Sarwar argues that while the public inquiry has thoroughly examined decision-making among hospital managers and on-site staff, it has failed to investigate the political dimension. "What it hasn't done is investigate and question those responsible for the political decision-making," he emphasised.
The Labour leader specifically called for Lord Brodie to:
- Reopen the inquiry proceedings
- Question former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon directly
- Take evidence from former Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary John Swinney
- Interview former Health Secretary Shona Robison
"So we can have full transparency about who knew what and when and why that hospital was allowed to open too early and the negative consequences, devastating consequences, that follow with patients getting infections they shouldn't have and lives were lost when they shouldn't have, too," Sarwar added.
NHS Board Admits "Pressure" to Open Prematurely
The controversy intensified last week when NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) acknowledged in its closing statement to the inquiry that "pressure" had been placed on the board to open the hospital, admitting it was opened prematurely. This revelation sparked immediate political backlash, with opposition figures accusing the Scottish Government and specifically Nicola Sturgeon of applying that pressure.
Sarwar delivered an uncompromising message to current ministers and officials: "Let me make this abundantly clear to every single minister in Government, every single official – we are not going away. We will get the answers, we will get justice, and you may try and evade that for the next 100 days, but in 100 days we will elect a new government in this country."
He continued with a powerful electoral warning: "In 100 days, we will get our NHS back on track. In 100 days, we will save our NHS, but in 100 days we will then also shine a light on the most ultimate cover-up in this country's political history, and you will be made to pay the price."
Government and Health Board Responses
A spokesperson for the First Minister indicated that John Swinney would be willing to give evidence if formally invited by the inquiry. Current Health Secretary Neil Gray defended the Government's approach, stating: "The Government brought forward the public inquiry so that families – some of whom I have met, and to whom I pay tribute for their work and their diligence following the trauma that they have undoubtedly experienced – can get answers to the questions that they are posing."
Gray added: "It is because we have instigated a public inquiry that, I believe, we are getting to the truth, and it is right that Lord Brodie now be given the space to consider all the evidence."
NHSGGC attempted to clarify its position, suggesting that any pressure to open the hospital likely originated internally rather than from external political sources. In an official statement, the health board said: "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologises for the historical failings that have been highlighted by the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. We would like to reiterate our sincere and unreserved apology to the patients, families and staff affected."
The statement continued: "NHSGGC wants to give an assurance to current patients, family members, staff and members of the public that ensuring the safe care of our patients is our key priority at all times. Comprehensive steps have been taken to address past physical defects in the building, with a significant and ongoing programme of maintenance and monitoring in place to ensure the quality and safety of the QEUH and RHC today."
Nicola Sturgeon has been approached for comment regarding Sarwar's specific allegations about her involvement in the hospital's opening timeline. The former First Minister's response to these serious claims is currently awaited as political tensions escalate ahead of May's crucial Scottish Parliament elections.
