all of politics. it's a _ friends. we are having tributes from all of politics. it's a you _ friends. we are having tributes from all of politics. it's a you say - friends. we are having tributes from all of politics. it's a you say that - all of politics. it's a you say that he was a gentleman. was he a friend of yours? he was a gentleman. was he a friend of ours? ., ., �* . .,, of yours? no, we won't close friends- _ of yours? no, we won't close friends. but _ of yours? no, we won't close friends. but when _ of yours? no, we won't close friends. but when he - of yours? no, we won't close friends. but when he was - of yours? no, we won't close friends. but when he was in i of yours? no, we won't close - friends. but when he was in office, and i was a backbench mp, and a major issue, you always got a courteous and informed response. he was very much in command of his brief. we did not agree on many many issues, but our exchanges were never anything other than courteous and businesslike. you appreciate that among political opponents. you want political opponents who play the game of politics at a certain high level, and alistair did that. and he is much to be commended for that. fin is much to be commended for that. on a more personal level as well, only just turned 70 a couple of days ago, a tragedy for his family. bier? just turned 70 a couple of days ago, a tragedy for his family.— a tragedy for his family. very much so. in this a tragedy for his family. very much s0- in this day— a tragedy for his family. very much so. in this day and _ a tragedy for his family. very much so. in this day and age, _ a tragedy for his family. very much so. in this day and age, that - a tragedy for his family. very much so. in this day and age, that is - a tragedy for his family. very much so. in this day and age, that is not| so. in this day and age, that is not in the planned stage. it's very difficult to imagine their political scene without alistair darling. the news for most of us this morning was unexpected. obviously, he had been an ill for a period, unexpected. obviously, he had been an ill fora period, but unexpected. obviously, he had been an ill for a period, but it was very unexpected and sad news. across the political spectrum, public scottish life, people will be very sad today that alistair has been taken from us at a relatively young age. find at a relatively young age. and finall , at a relatively young age. and finally. one — at a relatively young age. and finally, one key— at a relatively young age. and finally, one key thing - at a relatively young age. and finally, one key thing he will be remembered for? i finally, one key thing he will be remembered for?— remembered for? i think the referendum _ remembered for? i think the referendum campaign - remembered for? i think the referendum campaign was i remembered for? i think the - referendum campaign was probably remembered for? i think the _ referendum campaign was probably the big biggest political debate probably in the uk, so in the century, so he was a formidable opponent. he will be remembered for that. the key memory i suspect will be that just that. the key memory i suspect will be thatjust because the financial crisis was all—encompassing, that he was at the helm at a moment of extreme danger to the entire financial system, extreme danger to the entire financialsystem, it extreme danger to the entire financial system, it could have collapsed. and therefore, the ability to withstand that sort of precious group —— speaks extremely highly of alistair darling. precious group -- speaks extremely highly of alistair darling.— highly of alistair darling. thank ou. live now to our political correspondet kirsten campbell . you are listening to those thoughts from alex salmond, you are listening to how they could debate but afterwards talk about what they were doing on the weekend. that’s were doing on the weekend. that's riaht, and were doing on the weekend. that's right. and i — were doing on the weekend. that's right, and i think _ were doing on the weekend. that's right, and i think that _ were doing on the weekend. that's right, and i think that is _ were doing on the weekend. that's right, and i think that is coming - right, and i think that is coming across and all the tributes that are beginning to come into alistair darling aboutjust how decent a man he was. there is sense of shock here in the scottish parliament, at least one labour msp has been spotted in tears. some people have been really devastated by this. he was a mentor to so many in the party. he has been described as a giant of the labour movement, a titanic. a good and someone who was also always dedicated to public service. those sorts of tributes in coming and not just from labour politicians are indeed adversaries in the case of alex salman, you have people talking about his carmen wisdom and kindness. theresa may saying that he was an asset to our politics and public life. this was a man who was very well respected across the political spectrum. he stepped down in 2015 most — political spectrum. he stepped down in 2015 most recently _ political spectrum. he stepped down in 2015 most recently as _ political spectrum. he stepped down in 2015 most recently as the - political spectrum. he stepped down in 2015 most recently as the mp - political spectrum. he stepped down in 2015 most recently as the mp for. in 2015 most recently as the mp for edinburgh south west. can you tell us about his presence in scotland? he was a huge political figure. us about his presence in scotland? he was a huge politicalfigure. he began his political career as a counsellor. he ended his political career in the house of lords. in between time, of course, he was the longest serving member of the labour government, and minister under both tony blair and gordon brown. most famously as the chancellor of the exchequer during the financial clash. —— crash. he bails out the bank of scotland and he thought he should be honest with the public and is bus was not the show sure about that. he headed up the better together campaign during the independence referendum. that was a job that he didn't really want, but he did it anyway out of a sense of public duty, and i think that is a measure of the man.— public duty, and i think that is a measure of the man. thank you very much for that. _ measure of the man. thank you very much for that. let's _ measure of the man. thank you very much for that. let's bring _ measure of the man. thank you very much for that. let's bring you - measure of the man. thank you very much for that. let's bring you a - much for that. let's bring you a tribute that has come in. former prime minister tony blair has said that alistair darling who worked in many of the top positions in his government has said... that is on the death of alistair darling who has died at the age of 70. matt hancock is giving evidence before the uk covid inquiry, which is focusing on the decision—making that happened during the pandemic. i can't recall it specifically being brought to my attention. . it would certainly have been informed by the advice i was getting from many of those present. a, advice i was getting from many of those present.— those present. a day before, according _ those present. a day before, according to _ those present. a day before, according to yours _ those present. a day before, according to yours date - those present. a day before, i according to yours date meant, those present. a day before, - according to yours date meant, on the 13th _ according to yours date meant, on the 13th of— according to yours date meant, on the 13th of february, _ according to yours date meant, on the 13th of february, you - according to yours date meant, on the 13th of february, you say- according to yours date meant, on the 13th of february, you say thatl the 13th of february, you say that sage _ the 13th of february, you say that sage came — the 13th of february, you say that sage came to— the 13th of february, you say that sage came to the _ the 13th of february, you say that sage came to the view— the 13th of february, you say that sage came to the view that - the 13th of february, you say that sage came to the view that china| the 13th of february, you say that - sage came to the view that china had failed _ sage came to the view that china had failed to— sage came to the view that china had failed to contain _ sage came to the view that china had failed to contain coronavirus. - sage came to the view that china had failed to contain coronavirus. so, - failed to contain coronavirus. so, in the _ failed to contain coronavirus. so, in the context— failed to contain coronavirus. so, in the context of— failed to contain coronavirus. so, in the context of this _ failed to contain coronavirus. so, in the context of this debate, - failed to contain coronavirus. so, | in the context of this debate, and the two _ in the context of this debate, and the two scenarios, _ in the context of this debate, and the two scenarios, either- in the context of this debate, and the two scenarios, either they. the two scenarios, either they contain — the two scenarios, either they contain it— the two scenarios, either they contain it or— the two scenarios, either they contain it or they— the two scenarios, either they contain it or they don't, - the two scenarios, either they contain it or they don't, and l the two scenarios, either they contain it or they don't, and it becomes— contain it or they don't, and it becomes a _ contain it or they don't, and it becomes a worldwide - contain it or they don't, and it. becomes a worldwide pandemic. contain it or they don't, and it - becomes a worldwide pandemic. can you recatt— becomes a worldwide pandemic. can you recall your— becomes a worldwide pandemic. can you recall your reaction _ becomes a worldwide pandemic. can you recall your reaction of— becomes a worldwide pandemic. can you recall your reaction of being - you recall your reaction of being told on — you recall your reaction of being told on the _ you recall your reaction of being told on the 13th _ you recall your reaction of being told on the 13th of _ you recall your reaction of being told on the 13th of february - you recall your reaction of being told on the 13th of february that china _ told on the 13th of february that china had — told on the 13th of february that china had failed _ told on the 13th of february that china had failed to _ told on the 13th of february that china had failed to contain - told on the 13th of february that china had failed to contain the l china had failed to contain the virus? — china had failed to contain the virus? ., .., , ., ., virus? no, identical been told that as early as — virus? no, identical been told that as early as that. _ virus? no, identical been told that as early as that. this _ virus? no, identical been told that as early as that. this is _ virus? no, identical been told that as early as that. this is from - virus? no, identical been told that as early as that. this is from your| as early as that. this is from your statement. _ as early as that. this is from your statement, paragraph _ as early as that. this is from your statement, paragraph 191. - as early as that. this is from your statement, paragraph 191. can i statement, paragraph 191. can returned to — statement, paragraph 191. can returned to it? _ statement, paragraph 191. can returned to it? can _ statement, paragraph 191. can returned to it? can we - statement, paragraph 191. can returned to it? can we have i statement, paragraph 191. can - returned to it? can we have pleased the statement _ returned to it? can we have pleased the statement on _ returned to it? can we have pleased the statement on the _ returned to it? can we have pleased the statement on the screen? - the statement on the screen? paragraph— the statement on the screen? paragraph t9t~ _ the statement on the screen? paragraph 191. i'm— the statement on the screen? paragraph 191. i'm afraid - the statement on the screen? paragraph 191. i'm afraid i- the statement on the screen? i paragraph 191. i'm afraid i don't have _ paragraph 191. i'm afraid i don't have a — paragraph 191. i'm afraid i don't have a page _ paragraph 191. i'm afraid i don't have a page number. _ paragraph 191. i'm afraid i don't have a page number. perhaps. paragraph 191. i'm afraid i don't - have a page number. perhaps someone can assist _ have a page number. perhaps someone can assist ti— have a page number. perhaps someone can assist. , ., ., ., can assist. if you have got the page number there _ can assist. if you have got the page number there mr _ can assist. if you have got the page number there mr hancock. - can assist. if you have got the page number there mr hancock. the - can assist. if you have got the page | number there mr hancock. the page numbers a5. it said they came to the view that china had failed to contain covid—19. i don't recall when i was told that. contain covid-19. i don't recall when i was told that.— contain covid-19. i don't recall when i was told that. right, my next ruestion, when i was told that. right, my next question. that _ when i was told that. right, my next question, that is _ when i was told that. right, my next question, that is a _ when i was told that. right, my next question, that is a seminal - when i was told that. right, my next question, that is a seminal momentl question, that is a seminal moment in the _ question, that is a seminal moment in the context— question, that is a seminal moment in the context of— question, that is a seminal moment in the context of this _ question, that is a seminal moment in the context of this debate, - question, that is a seminal moment in the context of this debate, you i in the context of this debate, you are told. — in the context of this debate, you are told, there _ in the context of this debate, you are told, there is _ in the context of this debate, you are told, there is a _ in the context of this debate, you are told, there is a 50—50 - in the context of this debate, you . are told, there is a 50—50 scenario. it is contained — are told, there is a 50—50 scenario. it is contained or— are told, there is a 50—50 scenario. it is contained or it's _ are told, there is a 50—50 scenario. it is contained or it's not. _ are told, there is a 50—50 scenario. it is contained or it's not. if- are told, there is a 50—50 scenario. it is contained or it's not. if it- it is contained or it's not. if it is not. — it is contained or it's not. if it is not. then— it is contained or it's not. if it is not, then subject - it is contained or it's not. if it is not, then subject to- it is contained or it's not. if it. is not, then subject to sustained community— is not, then subject to sustained community transmission, - is not, then subject to sustained community transmission, it - is not, then subject to sustained community transmission, it is i is not, then subject to sustained - community transmission, it is game over~ _ community transmission, it is game over~ being — community transmission, it is game over~ being told _ community transmission, it is game over. being told formally _ community transmission, it is game over. being told formally the - over. being told formally the government _ over. being told formally the government machine - over. being told formally the government machine was - over. being told formally the - government machine was informed formativ— government machine was informed formally on— government machine was informed formally on the _ government machine was informed formally on the 13th _ government machine was informed formally on the 13th of— government machine was informed formally on the 13th of february. formally on the 13th of february that china — formally on the 13th of february that china had _ formally on the 13th of february that china had failed, _ formally on the 13th of february that china had failed, would - formally on the 13th of februaryj that china had failed, would you acknowledge _ that china had failed, would you acknowledge that _ that china had failed, would you acknowledge that that _ that china had failed, would you acknowledge that that was - that china had failed, would you acknowledge that that was a - that china had failed, would youl acknowledge that that was a vital moment? — acknowledge that that was a vital moment? lt— acknowledge that that was a vital moment? . . , acknowledge that that was a vital moment? . ., , , ., ., moment? it certainly should have been, moment? it certainly should have been. yes- _ moment? it certainly should have been, yes. yes. _ moment? it certainly should have been, yes. yes. on _ moment? it certainly should have been, yes. yes. on the _ moment? it certainly should have been, yes. yes. on the 14th - moment? it certainly should have been, yes. yes. on the 14th of. been, yes. yes. on the 14th of february. _ been, yes. yes. on the 14th of february. the _ been, yes. yes. on the 14th of february, the next _ been, yes. yes. on the 14th of february, the next day, - been, yes. yes. on the 14th of| february, the next day, 56138, been, yes. yes. on the 14th of- february, the next day, 56138, page seven, _ february, the next day, 56138, page seven, you — february, the next day, 56138, page seven, you were _ february, the next day, 56138, page seven, you were present _ february, the next day, 56138, page seven, you were present at - february, the next day, 56138, page seven, you were present at that - seven, you were present at that cabinet _ seven, you were present at that cabinet of— seven, you were present at that cabinet of course. _ seven, you were present at that cabinet of course. page - seven, you were present at that cabinet of course. page seven, i seven, you were present at that - cabinet of course. page seven, thank you. cabinet of course. page seven, thank you the _ cabinet of course. page seven, thank you. the governments _ cabinet of course. page seven, thank you. the governments chief- cabinet of course. page seven, thank you. the governments chief medicall you. the governments chief medical officer— you. the governments chief medical officer said — you. the governments chief medical officer said that— you. the governments chief medical officer said that if— you. the governments chief medical officer said that if the _ you. the governments chief medical officer said that if the virus - officer said that if the virus became _ officer said that if the virus became widespread, - officer said that if the virus became widespread, there | officer said that if the virus - became widespread, there were officer said that if the virus _ became widespread, there were plans in place _ became widespread, there were plans in place that— became widespread, there were plans in place that could _ became widespread, there were plans in place that could slow— became widespread, there were plans in place that could slow down - became widespread, there were plans in place that could slow down its - in place that could slow down its spread — in place that could slow down its spread that _ in place that could slow down its spread. that appears _ in place that could slow down its spread. that appears to - in place that could slow down its spread. that appears to be - in place that could slow down its spread. that appears to be a - spread. that appears to be a reference _ spread. that appears to be a reference to _ spread. that appears to be a reference to infection - spread. that appears to be a| reference to infection control spread. that appears to be a i reference to infection control as opposed — reference to infection control as opposed to _ reference to infection control as opposed to