Nicola Sturgeon has been warned by police officers about the law surrounding face coverings in Scotland after she failed to wear a face mask in a barbers shop on Saturday, in breach of her own regulations.
The first minister was reported to Police Scotland after footage emerged of her in a crowded barbers shop without a face covering, joking with staff and pretending to shave a customer while out campaigning in East Kilbride.
Facemasks are still legally required in Scotland. pic.twitter.com/9dxazpy3QI
— Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP (@jhalcrojohnston) April 16, 2022
Sturgeon apologised after the police issued a statement, and admitted it was “an error on my part”. She said it was a momentary lapse and she quickly realised she needed to wear a mask, before posing for photographers.
“I accept that not wearing a face covering even for a few seconds was an error on my part and I am sorry for that. Having received complaints about the matter, Police Scotland made contact with me.
“This is what they would have done with anyone else in these circumstances, and they were absolutely right to treat me no differently to any other citizen. I explained that the error was inadvertent and the police have confirmed that the matter is closed.”
Police Scotland announced on Twitter its officers had visited Sturgeon after the complaint. “Local officers have spoken to the first minister to remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so,” its statement said.
Local officers have spoken to the First Minister to remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so. pic.twitter.com/KEAjUaEQq5
— Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) April 18, 2022
“Given the circumstances of this incident, Police Scotland is satisfied that no further action is necessary. This is in line with our proportionate approach throughout the pandemic.”
The incident came less than 48 hours before Scotland’s strict rules on face coverings were relaxed, becoming a recommendation for shops, public indoor spaces and public transport, rather than mandatory.
Opposition politicians were scathing about Sturgeon’s oversight. Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Conservative’s health spokesperson, said on Sunday: “She’s happy virtue signalling for official photos but behind closed doors it’s clear she doesn’t believe in her own rules so why should anyone else.
“This is blatant hypocrisy from the first minister who has now shown her true colours.”
This is the second time Sturgeon has broken Covid regulations. In December 2020 she said there were “no excuses” after it emerged she had taken her face mask off during a wake. She told MSPs after the incident: “I am kicking myself very hard, possibly harder than my worst critic ever could. But more importantly, I’ll be making sure I do not drop my guard again.”
In April 2020, Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, was forced to resign after it emerged she had twice visited her holiday home in Fife in breach of strict lockdown rules in force at the time.
The Scottish Green party co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, both now Scottish government ministers, apologised after breaching household mixing rules by gathering with two party officials in an Edinburgh bar, after starting coalition talks with Sturgeon at her official residence in April 2021.
