AMID the high-profile discussions surrounding deleted WhatsApp messages by ministers in both the UK and Scottish governments, prominent Scottish businessman Lord Willie Haughey has admitted that he deletes his.
Discussing the much-reported controversy on the Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey, the Labour peer said: “I delete all of my WhatsApp messages, all of my texters, all of my emails as soon as I’ve dealt with them – only for the simple reason that I’m no good at searching through hundreds of them.”
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Earlier, Sir Tom Hunter pointed out that “the way we communicate as business people has changed”, noting: “Over the past 25 years, I used to be on the phone all the time but I’m not on the phone as much now. I do communicate by WhatsApp, Signal [an encrypted messaging service for instant messaging, voice, and video calls] – but the one I don’t like, because fall out over it, is email.
“People can read things the wrong way so I say just pick up the phone. WhatsApp is a very efficient way to deal with things but if it is important pick up the phone.”
Lord Willie agreed, adding: “When you have something contentious, don’t send it in an email – have a conversation. There will be people you like having a quick conversation with while others will go on and on and on so thank the lord for WhatsApp.”
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Reviewing the revelations that came out of the UK Covid inquiry last week, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom said: “We want from our politicians – they serve at our pleasure – is truth and honesty. If people make a mistake – and I make mistakes all the time – you own up to them, say ‘I’m sorry about it, I’ll learn from it’ then move on.”
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