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Nicola Sturgeon reported to police for breaking her own face mask rules
First Minister accused of ‘disdain and sheer arrogance’ as police assess
footage which appears to show her mingling without a face covering
By
Daniel Sanderson,
SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT
17 April 2022 • 2:50pm
Image of Nicola Sturgeon without a face mask on
Video footage shared on social media appears to show the First Minister
mixing indoors without a legally-mandated face covering
Scottish police are assessing a complaint against Nicola Sturgeon over
footage which appeared to show her breaking her own face mask law.
The First Minister visited an East Kilbride barbers shop on Saturday,
for an SNP campaign event ahead of next month’s local elections.
She wore a tartan mask when photographers and camera crews were present
for the photo-op, during which she shaved off a man’s beard.
The First Minister shaves a man's beard whilst wearing a face mask
The First Minister was initially seen to be wearing a tartan face mask
during the visit to the barber's shop CREDIT: Mick McGurk
However, mobile phone footage, apparently taken by a customer in a
barber’s chair, later emerged of Ms Sturgeon mingling at close quarters
with her face uncovered.
She appears to approach the man taking the video and brazenly strokes
his head while mimicking the sound of an electric razor.
Face mask laws in Scotland, which will be lifted on Monday after Ms
Sturgeon twice delayed their abolition, state that members of the public
must cover their faces in indoor public settings including barber shops.
Jane Lax, a former Scottish Tory treasurer who was suspended from the
party in 2019 for making “unacceptable” comments about the First
Minister online, said she had reported Ms Sturgeon to the police.
She accused Ms Sturgeon of showing “disdain and sheer arrogance” and
said she had complained about the SNP leader because the opposition
parties were not doing enough to hold her to account.
Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon is then seen in the same setting captured by the
previous photographer, this time without a mask
A Police Scotland spokesman said on Sunday: “We can confirm that we have
received a complaint which is currently being assessed.”
Despite finally agreeing to lift the final legal Covid restrictions from
Monday, Ms Sturgeon has urged the public to continue wearing masks
voluntarily.
She claimed on Saturday that the “vast majority” of Scots would continue
to follow her advice even when they were no longer under a legal
obligation to do so.
Those who break face mask laws can be issued with a £60 fixed penalty
notice by police, which is reduced to £30 if paid within 28 days.
Ms Sturgeon previously admitted to breaking her own face mask rules in
December 2020 when she was pictured having a conversation at a funeral
wake with her face uncovered.
She issued an apology for what she described as a “stupid mistake” and
did not face police action.
Last month, she did not wear a face mask at Westminster Abbey, at a
memorial service for Prince Philip.
Although she was not under a legal obligation to wear one due to
different rules in England, at the time Ms Sturgeon’s rules mandated
their use in places of worship in Scotland.
‘Virtue signalling for official photos’
Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory MSP, posted a video of the barber shop
incident on his Twitter account:
Craig Hoy MSP
@CraigWHoy1
Vote SNP for cuts and double standards.
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP
@jhalcrojohnston
Facemasks are still legally required in Scotland.
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9:52 AM · Apr 17, 2022
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The SNP has been approached for comment.
Dr Sandesh Gulhane, health spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: “The
video clearly shows Nicola Sturgeon isn’t practising what she preaches
on face masks.
“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.”
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