Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood has resigned from her position this evening.
The news comes after Dr Calderwood had had to admit to breaching her own lockdown advice at today's coronavirus briefing after the Scottish Sun had captured images of the CMO visiting her holiday home in Fife.
Dr Calderwood was given a police warning after making the trip to Fife.
She has said in a statement: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and the mistakes I have made.
"The First Minister and I have had a further conversation this evening and we have agreed that the justifiable focus on my behaviour risks becoming a distraction from the hugely important job that the government and the medical profession has to do in getting the country through this coronavirus pandemic.
"Having worked so hard on the government's response, this is the last thing I want.
"The most important thing to me now and over the next few very difficult months is that people across Scotland know what they need to do to reduce the spread of this virus and that means they must have complete trust in those who give them advice.
"It is with a heavy heart that I resign as Chief Medical Officer.
"I will work with my team over the next few days to ensure a smooth transition to my successor."
Nicola Sturgeon has responded to Dr Calderwood's resignation stating: "Dr Calderwood's advice to me, to the government and to people across Scotland over the past few weeks has been the right advice.
"People should continue to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives.
"It is however clear that the mistake she made - even though she has apologised sincerely and honourably for it - risks distracting from and undermining confidence in the government's public health message at this crucial time.
"That is a risk either of us is willing to take."
