Many in the Scottish government do not understand the rules for using WhatsApp messages while in office, a former minister has said.
"I don't think Jason Leitch should be hung out to dry for what's a systemic fault in the way the Scottish government's been run". A spokesperson said: "It is not the culture within Scottish government to use WhatsApp for decision making - our records management policy states clearly that government decisions should be recorded in the official record.However, Mr Neil dismissed the suggestion that discussions on WhatsApp move to official channels before decisions are made.
He said First Minister Humza Yousaf should ask the information commissioner to ensure that ministers are either prevented from using the app, or have to copy in their private office for government business. Mr Dawson, who believes that WhatsApp and other electronic messages appear to have been used in relation to key Scottish government decisions, said the "majority of the messages have not been retained by witnesses".