Scotland’s chief medical officer has apologised “unreservedly” after she was photographed visiting her second home during the coronavirus lockdown.
Pictures of Dr Catherine Calderwood and her family near a coastal retreat in Earlsferry were published in The Scottish Sun.
The images emerged amid continuing advice from the CMO and other leading medical professionals and politicians to stay at home in order to save lives and protect the NHS.
READ MORE: Chief medical officer pictured visiting second home during lockdown
In a statement issued by the Scottish Government, Calderwood said she was "truly sorry".
“I wish to apologise unreservedly for the issue reported in the media today," the statement read.
“While there are reasons for what I did, they do not justify it and they were not legitimate reasons to be out of my home. While I and my family followed the guidance on social distancing at all times, I understand that I did not follow the advice I am giving to others, and I am truly sorry for that.
“I know how important this advice is and I do not want my mistake to distract from that. I have a job to do as Chief Medical Officer to provide advice to Ministers on the path of this virus and to support the medical profession as they work night and day to save lives, and having spoken with the First Minister this morning I will continue to focus entirely on that job.”
READ MORE: Catherine Calderwood urged to quit after contradicting lockdown advice
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