A FORMER Scottish Tory leader has backed Boris Johnson after he declared the UK was “past the peak” of coronavirus.
Baroness Annabel Goldie claimed it was clear that the Prime Minister was correct.
Her comments come after Nicola Sturgeon countered Johnson’s statement. The First Minister said that while there was light at the end of the tunnel, it was wrong to suggest the country was “past the point of danger”.
A source close to the SNP leader had said that they were worried the PM’s claim could hamper efforts to ensure the public observes social distancing rules.
But speaking today on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland, Goldie said it was evident the UK was "past the peak" of the virus.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon urges caution over PM's 'past the peak' claim
The former Scottish Tory chief, who led the party from 2005 until 2011, made the comment during a discussion of a care home on Skye which has reported more than 50 Covid-19 cases among patients and staff.
She said the testing strategy on the island should be designed to "absolutely ensure the safety of residents within the care home and try to ensure that not only are they being kept safe, but the risk of transmission into the home or out is minimised".
Goldie added: "I don't want to in any way diminish the gravity and the horror of what's been happening in the care home, that's been a very tragic and worrying situation. But the data now shows that the peak is past.
"We see deaths beginning to fall, we see rates of infection beginning to fall, we see hospital admissions beginning to fall, but that is not a sign that we can relax the restrictions."
READ MORE: Piers Morgan BACKS Nicola Sturgeon in 'past the peak' row with PM
The peer went on to urge people to adhere to the restrictions put in place to control the virus, saying it was important that the measures were not lifted too early.
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