SCOTLAND
Academics say the fact that the Scotland’s most senior Public Servant announced a major review into the care of children and young people before the First Minister made a statement to Parliament represents a worrying trend.
In another incident highlighted by critics, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s advisers questioned a newspaper’s justification for running a story involving the then Minister of Finance, Derek Mackay sending 270 messages to a 16-year-old schoolboy, a stranger, and trying to arrange a meeting.
Permanent Secretary, Leslie Evans (pictured) used her Twitter account to welcome the findings of the Independent Care Review and back a far-reaching overhaul of the care system, hours before Ms Sturgeon made a statement in Parliament explaining how Ministers would respond to the findings.
Ms Evans said the review “demands cultural and systemic change” and added: “So all of us in the Scottish Government – all Civil Servants – stand ready to implement this review and work with others in the sector to do so.”
Professor of Government at the University of Manchester, Colin Talbot said a Public Servant would not normally announce things on Twitter.
“It seems to me that is stepping over a line,” Professor Talbot said.
Honorary Fellow in Social Policy at Edinburgh University, Richard Parry questioned whether Ms Evans should be using Twitter at all.
Mr Parry said Public Servants had been serving Ministers in the ruling Scottish National Party for so long they shared their mindset.
“The big picture on this is the SNP has been in office for 13 years now. Civil Servants have been working for one party for that time, so they are in their mindset,” Mr Parry said.
“I think they do the best they can to be impartial, but I think in some circumstances they have a difficult job.”
A spokesperson for the Government said that in common with many other Permanent Secretaries, Ms Evans regularly tweets about issues and policies relating to Government and had done so since taking up her post in 2015.
“Following publication of the Independent Care Review, the Permanent Secretary welcomed the report and its significance for the sector,” the spokesperson said.
Edinburgh, 18 February 2020
