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Concerns raised over a ‘conflict of interest’ with Public Health Scotland's remit
Documents reveal part of PHS's duties is to protect the interests of Scottish ministers
Members of the public outside the main entrance to the coronavirus mass vaccine centre at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre

SCOTTISH Labour has raised concerns about a “conflict of interest” within the remit of Public Health Scotland (PHS), after it emerged one of its duties is to protect the interests of Scottish ministers.

Documents revealed on Friday show PHS, the public agency which investigated Scotland’s Covid-19 care home deaths and reported on the mass discharge of patients into care settings, has to check whether research criticises government policy. 

Freedom of Information (FOI) responses published in The Times show the body’s remit includes a duty to protect the reputation of SNP ministers. 

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