Sarwar: Scandal-hit hospital chair cannot be government adviser

Anas Sarwar has urged Humza Yousaf to remove the outgoing Chair of scandal-hit Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board as the government’s adviser on NHS good governance.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde became the first public body in Scottish history to be named a suspect in a corporate homicide case – however, the current Chair John Brown still advises the Scottish Government on NHS good governance.

At First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Anas Sarwar asked Humza Yousaf whether he would be stripped of this role in light of the police investigation, but the First Minister refused to answer.

In a new letter, Anas Sarwar has pressed Humza Yousaf to give a commitment to remove Mr Brown from all public appointments for the duration of the police investigation.

Commenting, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said “What happened at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is the biggest scandal in the history of devolution – but instead of holding the Health Board leadership to account, Humza Yousaf and the SNP have enabled and empowered them at every turn.

“The fact the man who presided over this scandal is advising the government on good governance is a gross insult to the grieving families who have been forced to fight for the truth.

“Humza Yousaf must give a cast iron commitment that John Brown will be removed from all public appointments for the duration of this serious investigation.”

ENDS

Notes

Full text of the letter below:

Dear First Minister,

At First Minister’s Questions I asked you the following question regarding John Brown, Chair of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board:

“Despite being Chair of the only public body in Scottish history to be named a suspect in a corporate homicide case, he is to be kept on by the Government as an adviser on NHS good governance. 

First Minister, what message does this send to grieving families, and what does it say about your judgement, that the man who presided over this scandal will continue to advise your Government?”

You did not answer this question. Therefore, can you confirm that John Brown will continue to advise the Scottish Government on NHS good governance in his role as Co-Chair of the NHS Scotland Corporate Governance Steering Group?

It is my view that while this investigation and the public inquiry is ongoing, John Brown should not hold this appointment or any public appointment.

Yours sincerely,

Anas Sarwar