NICOLA Sturgeon has warned any member of the public thinking of attending one of the lockdown protests organised for this weekend, that they’ll be putting people lives at risk.

Picnics have been organised in parks across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland by an organisation calling themselves the UK Freedom Movement.

A leaflet circulating on social media asks people to "join the UK Freedom Movement and be part of the largest mass gathering since the lockdown".

It adds: "We say no to the coronavirus bill, no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal & no to the unlawful lockdown.

"Bring a picnic, some music and let's have some fun and say yes to life."

Asked about the planned protests at the Scottish Government’s daily press briefing, the First Minister said: “Anybody that goes to a picnic in the park right now will be breaking the law.”

The SNP leader said she would have “every confidence that the police will apply and enforce the law.”

She added: “So you're breaking the law, which is one good reason not to do it. But the other perhaps even more important reason not to do it is you'll be putting people's lives at risk. 

“And so if anybody out there watching this is even remotely tempted to go to some illegal gathering in a park this weekend because you're fed up with lockdown, what I'd say to you is, I understand you're fed up with lockdown, we're all fed up with it, but we're having to do it for the right reasons and if you do that, then it is not an exaggeration to say you could be putting people's lives at risk.

“Please don't do it, you know we're all in this for the same reason, to stop people dying unnecessarily, so don't be that person that goes and knowingly put somebody's life on the line, it's not worth it.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said they were aware of the events: "We have been made aware of this leaflet and would strongly urge people not to take part in this.

"The Scottish Government's guidance is clear - people should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, such as food and medicine, for exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done at home.

"Public gatherings of more than two people, with limited exceptions, are prohibited."

It's not clear how popular the protests will be. The leaflets have been shared widely on social media by both far-right organisations and a number of anti-5G groups.

It's not entirely clear who the UK Freedom Movement are. The group does however share a name with an organisation run by Richard Inman, who has links to the far right and is a supporter of racist EDL leader Tommy Robinson.