Michael Gove has denied suggestions of the UK Government "playing politics" during the CV19 pandemic.
The levelling up secretary was giving evidence at the UK CV19 Inquiry.
Mr Gove also accused the then-first minister Nicola Sturgeon of seeking to advance her "political agenda" by diverging from the UK Government.
He added that the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster was "dysfunctional", and that Ms Sturgeon and Boris Johnson "were not soul mates".
Mr Gove denied Westminster was "playing politics" but suggested that the Scottish Government was.
When asked by lead counsel Jamie Dawson KC about both governments "playing politics", Mr Gove replied: I do not believe that's true of the UK Government".
Ms Sturgeon is due to appear before the inquiry on Wednesday.