Humza Yousaf urged to sack NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde board amid health probe
It is understood the health board was named as a suspect in the criminal investigation into the deaths of a number of patients at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
A failure to sack the leadership of Scotland's largest health board would be allowing the "suspects to walk the crime scene" amid a corporate homicide investigation, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said.
First Minister Humza Yousaf faces fresh calls to remove the chief executives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) after it is understood the health board was named as a suspect in the criminal investigation into the deaths of a number of patients at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).
Among those affected was 10-year-old Milly Main, who died in 2017 after contracting an infection at the Royal Hospital for Children's cancer ward on the campus of the QEUH in Glasgow.
In its update to affected families, the health board said there was no indication a "final view" had been formed by prosecutors.
In a press conference on Monday, Milly's mother Kimberly Darroch said she had been unable to "celebrate" her daughter's life due to the ongoing trauma surrounding her death.
Speaking alongside Mr Sarwar in Glasgow, she made an emotional plea for the leadership to step aside, adding: "I don't think you should be able to do the job you're doing with this investigation ongoing. I think the Government should step in and either suspend or sack them.
"I've never been able to celebrate Milly's life like I should be. Anytime I think of Milly I think of all of the pain that day caused and continues to cause.
"I would like this to come to an end sooner rather than later so that I can think of Milly and celebrate her life, the good times that we had, instead of right now. I feel that pain the day I lost her every single day because of all of this."
Mr Sarwar urged the Scottish Government to "do the right thing" as he told journalists failing to take action would "embolden" the leadership.
Speaking to the PA news agency following the press conference, he said: "I urge Humza Yousaf and Michael Matheson, for once in your life on this issue, do the right thing.
"Don't allow the suspects to walk the crime scene and give us fresh leadership in this health board. You have taken us backwards in this situation.
"Humza Yousaf when he became health secretary took us backwards. And he has a choice - he can continue to stay in reverse or he can actually show some leadership for a change and remove this failing health board leadership. That is the right and only decent thing to do."
In a statement released on Sunday, the health board said: "Our sympathies remain with the families who have been affected by events at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children.
"We have received a communication from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) about this update to the status of their ongoing inquiry.
"It should be made clear that this letter does not indicate that the COPFS have formed a final view."
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.