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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Bill McLoughlin

Nicola Sturgeon reported to police after seemingly breaking Covid mask regulation

The incident has been reported to the police

(Picture: Getty Images)

Nicola Sturgeon has been reported to the police after she was accused of violating Scotland’s Covid mask mandate.

A video has emerged on social media of the First Minister speaking to people indoors while not wearing a mask.

Ms Sturgeon was visiting a hairdressers in East Kildbride, South Lanarkshire ahead of the local council elections.

In the video, the First Minister can be see talking to customers and staff before then pausing for a picture where she was seen without a face covering.

Current Covid guidelines in Scotland state a face mask must be worn in indoor settings - although it will move to be guidance from Monday.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint which is currently being assessed.”

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: "The video clearly shows Nicola Sturgeon isn't practicing what she preaches on facemasks.

"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.

"The public, who have been under these legal Covid restrictions for over two years, deserve an apology for this rule break."

The First Minister has previously called mask wearing “sensible” but was pictured last November maskless at a family birthday party.

Ms Sturgeon also apologised in December 2020 after she was photgraphed without a face covering at a wake.

An SNP spokesperson said: “The First Minister was invited into the barbers during an outdoor visit on the street.

“Within a few seconds, she realised she hadn’t put her mask back on and immediately put it on.”

The Scottish Government declinded to comment on the story.

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