FOI/202400437822 · FOI · released
Transcripts of press conferences by the Former First Minister: FOI release
Information requested
“Digital transcripts of all press conferences, speeches, and briefings by the First Minister between the dates of 01/02/2020 and 31/05/2021.” I have interpreted ‘digital transcripts’ to mean both written transcripts and audio/video recordings.
Response
I enclose a copy of the information you requested.
Transcripts of the First Minister’s speeches are published on the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/collections/first-ministers-speeches/.
Where the speech is a Covid-19 media briefing held by the First Minister in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, only the opening statement by the First Minister is published. The relevant page also includes a link to the YouTube video where you can view the subsequent questions and answers.
Where the speech is made by the First Minister to the Scottish Parliament, only the statement by the First Minister is published. The Scottish Parliament’s official report can be searched to view subsequent questions and answers: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report.
Transcripts of the First Minister's press conferences and briefings are not routinely produced, however I have conducted searches and located 14 full or partial transcripts produced by the Scottish Government‘s Media Monitoring Unit. These are attached at Annex A.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.