A political row about the level of coronavirus restrictions Edinburgh has been placed in has continued tonight as Scottish Labour hit back at the city council leader.
Councillor Adam McVey had called on Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard to 'correct' comments made during First Minister's Questions.
Speaking during a heated First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Leonard accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of making 'political' decisions on Covid restriction levels.
He also claimed Scottish Government health officials had told Edinburgh Council the city should be moved to level two, asking Ms Sturgeon why ministers had “voted to overturn that advice.”
Council leader Adam McVey took to Twitter on Friday to call on Leonard to correct his remarks, however Edinburgh Live understands Mr Leonard does not believe his remarks were inaccurate.
“You stated in questions to Nicola Sturgeon that John Swinney told me Edinburgh would move to level 2 prior to the Cabinet’s discussion – this isn’t true and I’ve never said that.
“You stated public health officials told me we’d move to level 2 – this isn’t true and I’ve never said.
“As I informed my council yesterday, they (unusually) didn’t give me an indication beforehand of what their recommendation to Cabinet would be. The DFM informed me afterwards.
“You stated my motion at yesterday’s council contained your claims above – it doesn’t, as you can see below.
“Can you correct the record urgently please? This is serious and we’re all trying to work as hard as we can to protect public health, businesses and jobs," he said.
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But asked about McVey's tweets, a Scottish Labour source said: "John Swinney was clearly rattled in the chamber yesterday when Richard Leonard called him out - and now Adam McVey has got into trouble with his political masters.
"[Adam] McVey needs to decide if his job is standing up for the SNP leadership, or standing up for the city of Edinburgh he is elected to represent."
