SCOTTISH Labour leader Richard Leonard was taken to task for “irresponsible” claims about how Covid-19 restriction levels are decided during this afternoon’s FMQs.
The MSP challenged Edinburgh’s classification as a level 3 city, saying it is bringing businesses to “breaking point”.
He claimed we are seeing decisions being made in an “arbitrary and ad-hoc” way, adding: “Decisions like the one this week appear to be a political decision, rather than a scientific decision.”
Leonard’s comment sparked uproar in the Chamber with MSPs heard shouting “politics?!”
The leader carried on through his question, saying the decision on the capital city “erodes public confidence” and “will deter compliance”.
MSPs continued heckling Leonard as the First Minister rose to her feet.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: 50 deaths recorded as official toll passes 4000
“There’s only one person in this exchange being irresponsible – and frankly, presiding officer, that is not me.”
“I mean let’s just take a step back,” she continued. “And reflect on how utterly ridiculous the content of Richard Leonard’s question to me there just was.”
“I’m taking political decisions against the City of Edinburgh Council? The City of Edinburgh Council that is led by an SNP politician?
“Why on Earth would I be doing that?” a stunned Nicola Sturgeon asked the Chamber.
“I’m taking decisions apparently politically that he himself has said are unpopular. Why would I want to take decisions that are unpopular if there was no need to do that?” she asked.
Sturgeon added she has set out “clearly” why it is not possible to move Edinburgh into eased level 2 restrictions at the moment.
READ MORE: Covid: Adam McVey wants ‘urgent’ talks with FM over Edinburgh's restrictions
There has been a rising level of cases and test positivity in the city, she explained.
If they did ease the rules the situation has the potential to “run out of control”, and said Leonard would be “first in the queue” to attack her over that.
The First Minister pledged to continue making decisions as “safely and as responsibly” as possible.
The exchange came as Scotland recorded another 50 coronavirus deaths and 933 new cases.
It takes the total number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the prior 28 days to 4039.
There are 984 people in hospital, 12 more than the previous day, and 52 people in intensive care, up two.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel