Police speak to Nicola Sturgeon for going mask-free 48 hours before law change

Police have spoken to Nicola Sturgeon after footage showed her apparently breaching Scotland's Covid laws on face masks.

A video posted on social media showed Scotland's First Minister not wearing a mask during a local election campaign visit to a barber's in East Kilbride on Saturday.

Until yesterday there was a legal requirement to wear a face covering in most indoor public places in Scotland, including shops, public transport and hairdressers.

The law moved into guidance today, however the Scottish Government has strongly recommended that people continue to wear masks where appropriate.

Today, Police Scotland confirmed: "Local officers have spoken to the First Minister to remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so.

"Given the circumstances of this incident, Police Scotland is satisfied that no further action is necessary. This is in line with our proportionate approach throughout the pandemic."

Nicola Sturgeon pictured at Iconic Gents Hair in East Kilbride on Saturday (Wattie Cheung)

In the video, Ms Sturgeon appears to be seen without a face covering as she mingles with customers and pats the head of a man in a barber's chair while mimicking the sound of electric clippers.

However, in a video of the visit posted on her official Twitter account, she is seen wearing a tartan face mask as she shaves a man's beard.

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

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

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meets 15-month-old Conalan Lowe, while local election campaigning in Perth, Scotland (REUTERS)

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

The Scottish Conservatives’ health spokesperson, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, said the incident showed that Sturgeon was a hypocrite.

“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?”

In December 2020, Ms Sturgeon apologised after she breached Covid rules by taking off her face mask at a funeral wake.

She described it as "a stupid mistake", and said: "I'm really sorry."