THE SCOTTISH Government has been accused of “an arrogant reluctance to do the right thing” after ministers appealed to health officials in other parts of the UK for a four nations care home inquiry to take place instead of listening to MSPs calling for a probe to be held immediately. 

The move comes after the SNP was defeated by opposition parties in a Holyrood vote on Wednesday, who called for an immediate public inquiry to be started to examine what went wrong in Scotland’s care homes during the first wave of the pandemic. 

Opposition MSPs have warned that attempting to set up a four nations inquiry should not result in a delay to the inquiry. 

At First Minister’s Questions, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has written to her counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, calling for a four nations care home inquiry. 

In her letter, Ms Freeman asks whether it is possible to be “establishing discussions as soon as is practicable”. 

READ MORE: Coronavirus Scotland: Lives 'at risk' by delayed care home inquiry

The Health Secretary also told her counterparts that “during the debate it was considered that there may be merit on any public inquiry on Covid-19 being taken forward on a four nations basis if possible”. 

It was Ms Freeman who brought up the four nations idea. 

The Scottish Government has committed to all issues of the pandemic, including care homes to be investigated in a public inquiry, but not while the immediate focus remains on suppressing the virus. 

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government has “long been clear we would be instigating a public inquiry into all aspects of the response to and impact of Covid, and that includes care homes”. 

But she said ministers will “take note of the views of Parliament” after the Holyrood vote. 

She added: “Because of that this morning the Health Secretary has written to counterparts in the Northern Irish, Welsh and UK Governments to seek early discussions on whether and how such an inquiry could be established on a four-nations basis.” 

It comes after Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron asked “what steps the Scottish Government is taking” after it was defeated on the issue on Wednesday. 

Mr Cameron added that the Scottish Government should “respect the will of Parliament”. 

As well as Ms Freeman contacting other UK health ministers, Ms Sturgeon said the Health Secretary will also be seeking talks with her opposition counterparts. 

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon said: “The Health Secretary will also be inviting opposition spokespeople for discussions next week to discuss the next steps in establishing any inquiry. 

“As all members of the chamber know, to establish a statutory public inquiry takes certain steps and cannot simply be done overnight. 

“But our commitment to doing that, and to doing that as quickly as possible, while ensuring those on the frontline in any capacity can continue to focus on getting the country through the second wave of Covid, our commitment to doing that is absolute.” 

Scottish Conservative health spokesperson, Donald Cameron, who brought forward the inquiry debate, said: "Parliament voted for a public inquiry into the care homes scandal in Scotland to begin immediately. Yet less than 24 hours later, this jaded SNP government has again demonstrated an arrogant reluctance to do the right thing." 

READ MORE: FMQs: Nicola Sturgeon says NHS can cope with 'winter storm'

"Today's answer from the First Minister said nothing of substance and did nothing to reassure the relatives of those who died. Instead, it showed the SNP just want to kick this into the long grass. 

"This tin-eared defiance will not wash and I would urge the SNP to think again. "This is now a matter of public trust. Parliament has spoken and those who have lost loved ones expect the inquiry to begin without any further delay.” 

Scottish Labour health spokesperson, Monica Lennon, added: “Parliament has spoken and voted for the Scottish Government to begin immediate work on a statutory public inquiry into the tragic crisis in Scotland’s care homes during the pandemic. 

“Consideration will need to be given to decisions that were taken on a four-nation basis but that should not delay the vital cross-party talks and preliminary work that MSPs have agreed should happen now.”