Nicola Sturgeon's WhatsApp messages have been released after a four-year transparency battle, revealing feuding at the heart of the SNP. The former First Minister said she was "furious" with Health Minister Humza Yousaf's NHS Recovery Plan plan during the Covid pandemic, just days before she publicly praised it.

As the SNP civil war erupted, Mr Yousaf accused his boss of taking a "hatchet" to his work, which was meant to boost the health service's recovery after the pandemic. He said to Ms Sturgeon: "From the beginning this document hasn’t been in the right place, far too policy heavy and not focused enough on ambitious outcomes that are easily understood by the public. That said bucks stops with me so we will work hard this week to get a plan that meets your expectations."

She replied: "Yeah it needed a lot of work" before adding the next day, "I’m reading a revised draft of the recovery plan and still feeling need to translate parts of into acceptable English - and that is before I reach any substance. It’s v frustrating".

She then wrote: "I’m going to spend some serious time today trying to get this plan into even a semi decent shape, but I’m pretty furious that they have sent it to me again in such a poor state."

Mr Yousaf responded: "After this meeting with bereaved families I’m about to go into I’ll get back onto the team. I am obv happy to speak to you to hear specific concerns."

The then-First Minister hit back: "My specific concern is that it's awful."

The health minister then told his junior public health minister, Maree Todd: "Forgive me I’m behind on papers (story of my life) have had to rewrite the NHS recovery plan this week as FM took a hatchet to it."

However, Ms Sturgeon then launched the document eight days later, saying it would "deliver an NHS that is innovative, sustainable and stronger than ever before".

It quickly received criticisms from politicians and experts, who branded it "useless" and pointed out its gaps.

Labour’s health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "Nicola Sturgeon was right about one thing - this NHS Recovery Plan was useless. Her brutal slapdowns expose the chaos and dysfunction at the heart of the SNP."

Tony Whittle, Conservative and Deputy Party Spokesperson on Mental Wellbeing, added: "Our NHS is still suffering the devastating consequences of Humza Yousaf’s dire post-pandemic proposals."

A Government spokesman said: "The NHS Recovery Plan, committed more than £1billion to help the health service deal with the continuing impact of the pandemic."