SCOTLAND’S Covid 19 inquiry was slammed as “shambolic” and “retraumatising” by bereaved families today, amid a controversial first day.

The inquiry got underway at Dundee University with a “scene-setting” presentation from Dr Ashley Croft, a consultant public health physician and medical epidemiologist, in a choice which angered bereaved families.

Solicitor for the bereaved families, Aamer Anwar, questioned Dr Croft’s credibility as an an expert witness after it emerged he had been heavily criticised in a 2020 High Court case at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The trial judge branded Dr Croft as “blissfully unaware of the ‘gold standard’”and having “cavalier approach to important evidence,” adding that his evidence was “flawed, unreliable, unconvincing.”

On behalf of the bereaved families, Mr Anwar said: “It is shameful and retraumatising for the bereaved to see this inquiry teetering once more on the edge of a cliff with an embarrassing and shambolic start.

“The families we represent raised grave concerns on Dr Croft being led as an expert witness at the start of the public inquiry, yet they were ignored. 

“A simple Google of this ‘expert’ witness would have exposed the High Court judgement.

“For the inquiry to start with this witness, gives cause for the bereaved to question the credibility and robustness of this inquiry.”

Mr Anwar said that the group Scottish Covid Bereaved campaigned for “this Scottish inquiry to be set up and to run parallel to that of the UK inquiry.” 

He said: “In the last year the Scottish inquiry has spent nearly £8 million — so the very least the families were entitled to expect was a gold plated, robust and fearless inquiry, no different to the UK inquiry.

“Sadly, their experience has been the exact opposite.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Covid 19 Inquiry told the star that the Chair would allow questions and give Dr Croft’s evidence “the weight he feels appropriate”, adding:

 “The Inquiry acknowledges the deep impact COVID-19 has had on everyone in Scotland.“The Inquiry’s preliminary hearing, will feature a formal and lasting recognition of the suffering caused by the pandemic, in the form of a short film.

"The Inquiry is grateful to bereaved families, care home relatives and others impacted by Covid who contributed to the making of this film.”