Retention of Documents

Bodies which were involved in the strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland should preserve and retain all documents and records that are relevant to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. A full and clear record should be kept so that it is accessible.

If this is not done, and documents are no longer available when called for by the Inquiry, it opens up the possibility of adverse comment and inferences in Inquiry reports. Also, Section 35 of the Inquiries Act 2005 makes it a criminal offence intentionally to suppress, conceal or destroy documents that the Inquiry might wish to be provided with, which is punishable by imprisonment or fines.