London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 16, 2025

Criticism of Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry's 'Shambolic' First Day

Criticism of Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry's 'Shambolic' First Day

The first day of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has been criticized by bereaved families for its "shameful and shambolic" start.
The inquiry, held in Dundee, heard from Dr Ashley Croft, a consultant in public health, who has been accused of vaccine-scepticism.

Campaigners condemned the selection of Dr Croft as an expert and accused the inquiry of laughing during proceedings and showing a lack of respect for those who had died from the virus.

Dr Croft defended his record and maintained that he does not hold views that have been "debunked".

He was commissioned to write a report on the scientific and medical understanding of Covid-19 as it existed in late 2019 and as it developed during the pandemic.

The report concludes that vaccines "reduce, or probably reduce" the number of people who get the virus and suffer serious disease.

However, Dr Croft said it "remains unclear if Covid vaccinations resulted in fewer deaths." Dr Croft has been criticized in the press for his 2019 report which makes a link between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism.

The connection was first made in Dr Andrew Wakefield's now discredited 1998 study, but studies have overwhelmingly found no link since.

Campaigners questioned Dr Croft's qualifications to advise the inquiry.

He said he had the necessary qualifications and added that he was an independent "educated and self-educated observer".

Margaret Waterton, who lost her mother and husband to Covid-19, said Dr Croft was "not an expert" and had not fully refuted the suggestion that he held discredited views.

Aamer Anwar, the lead solicitor for the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, said families were promised they would be "front and centre" of the public inquiry.

However, campaigners said the Scottish inquiry, chaired by Lord Brailsford, was not up to the "gold standard" of the UK one.

They raised issues including "incorrect terminology" in Dr Croft's contribution and "disrespectful" laughter during the proceedings.

The group also took issue with the The report presented by Dr. Croft, a veterinarian and toxicologist, in the inquiry is based on his professional expertise and holds no bias towards any particular view.

The report, like any other evidence received by the inquiry, does not influence the eventual findings and recommendations of the inquiry.

Dr. Croft will continue his participation in the inquiry on Thursday.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
HSBC Accelerates Chairman Succession as Mark Tucker Prepares Departure
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Cristina Kirchner Requests House Arrest Citing Assassination Risk
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Sole Survivor of Air India Crash Recounts Escape
UK and EU Reach New Economic Agreement
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Two Women Found Dead in Eryri National Park
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Pentagon Initiates Review of AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Pact
Meta to Invest $15 Billion in Scale AI to Advance AGI Goals
Rare Cancer Cases Triple Among Millennials, Alarming Doctors
G7 Finance Ministers Convene in Canada with Focus on Ukraine and Trade Tariffs
UK Spending Review Prioritizes Health and Defence Amid Budget Constraints
US Raises Security Concerns Over Proposed Chinese Embassy in London
Defined Benefit Pension Reforms Expected to Unlock Limited Investment
UK Industrial Strategy Launch Delayed Amid Budget Negotiations
Crick Institute Seeks Additional Funding to Attract International Scientists
Zia Yusuf Returns to Reform UK in New Role After Brief Resignation
Bezos's Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Local Protests
US Urges UK to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP
Europe Prepares for Historic Lunar Rover Landing
Italian Parents Seek Therapy Amid Lengthy School Holidays
British Fishing Vessel Seized by France Fined €30,000
Dutch Government Collapses Amid Migration Policy Dispute
Germany Moves to Expedite Migrant Deportations
UK Commits to 3.5% GDP Defence Spending Under NATO Pressure
Scientist Returns Royal Society Prize in Protest Over Elon Musk's Fellowship
×