NICOLA Sturgeon has hit out at Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw for refusing to criticise the PM's decision to defend Dominic Cummings for breaching lockdown rules.
The FM said Carlaw's statement was "strangely different" to his view on Catherine Calderwood who had to resign after travelling to her second home in Fife.
The PM told the daily Downing Street briefing that his top aide "acted responsibly, legally and with integrity" when he travelled more than 250 miles to his parents' home during lockdown.
Johnson also said that “some” of the allegations about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour during self-isolation were “palpably false”.
READ MORE: PM says Dominic Cummings 'acted responsibly' in breaking lockdown
After the briefing, Carlaw said: "I've heard what the Prime Minister has said and it is a situation for him to judge.“He has reached a conclusion and we must all now focus on continuing to beat this dreadful pandemic.
“I want the Prime Minister to be able to continue his excellent work leading the country out of lockdown and I am glad he set out his plans clearly today."
He added: "Here in Scotland, our focus must be on tackling the ongoing crisis in our care homes and building a robust testing and tracing system.
“There are more worrying reports today that this is proving difficult, and the Scottish Conservative focus will be on challenging the Scottish Government and demanding that promises both to protect care homes and isolate the disease are kept.”
READ MORE: Jackson Carlaw refuses to criticise PM for backing Dominic Cummings
Sturgeon tweeted: "Strangely different to his view on Cath Calderwood. Leadership is saying/doing the right thing even when it’s tough for you - not just calling for it when it’s tough for your opponent."
Strangely different to his view on Cath Calderwood. Leadership is saying/doing the right thing even when it’s tough for you - not just calling for it when it’s tough for your opponent. https://t.co/NGeFPvdsYg
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 24, 2020
The FM previously called for Cummings to be sacked, saying "integrity of vital public health advice" is the most important thing.
She said: "I know it is tough to lose a trusted adviser at the height of crisis, but when it’s a choice of that or integrity of vital public health advice, the latter must come first. That’s the judgment I and, to her credit, Catherine Calderwood reached. PM and Cummings should do likewise."
I know it is tough to lose a trusted adviser at the height of crisis, but when it’s a choice of that or integrity of vital public health advice, the latter must come first. That’s the judgment I and, to her credit, Catherine Calderwood reached. PM and Cummings should do likewise.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 24, 2020
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says Dominic Cummings must go after lockdown breach
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