THE First Minister has hit back at The Sun’s political editor after he suggested her policy announcements are a “concerted attempt to embarrass Westminster”.

Nicola Sturgeon today recommended Scots wear a face covering in spaces where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance from others, like food shops and public transport. The UK Government is yet to announce such guidance.

The move comes after the SNP leader also announced measures like school closures ahead of Westminster.

After today’s daily briefing Tom Newton Dunn wrote on Twitter: “Yet again, Sturgeon announces a measure before the UK Govt. If it’s not a concerted attempt to embarrass Westminster, it’s having precisely that effect anyway.”

The First Minister was quick to correct the journalist, firing back to deny she had any “malign motives”.

She said: “I’m just trying to do my job – as every other government is. This tendency to read malign motives when all any of us is trying to do is tackle the virus as best we can, is tedious and misplaced.”

Last month the First Minister received criticism from some journalists after revealing some measures discussed at an emergency Cobra meeting before the Prime Minister.

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Sturgeon had elaborated on the Scottish Government plan to call off mass gatherings of more than 500 people and what those showing symptoms should do.

She was accused of “playing stupid political games” by The Mail on Sunday’s Dan Hodges while City AM deputy editor Andy Silvester branded her press conference a “borderline coup d’etat”.

However, even Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw stepped in to defend the First Minister on Twitter after the incident.