NICOLA Sturgeon has said she did not “pick on” Edinburgh by refusing to ease coronavirus restrictions in the city.
The First Minister’s denial came after politicians in the capital voiced their anger that it would remain in level 3, the second-highest tier.
Sturgeon said she feared taking a less cautious approach could see Covid-19 cases “skyrocket” in the city, leading to “even more severe restrictions” being imposed.
She stressed decisions on restriction levels were “difficult”, and she would have loved to ease restrictions in the city: “Politicians like to do popular things. The fact I didn’t do it was not to pick on Edinburgh, I love Edinburgh. It was not to pick on Edinburgh, it is because I think it is essential to take that cautious and safe approach.”
Sturgeon said she wanted the capital to be “open, free and businesses trading and people coming to visit it”.
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However, she added: “Cases in Lothian are rising, in the most recent days we have also seen a bit of a rise in cases in Edinburgh.
“So looking at all of that, we have to ask ourselves the serious question. If we think cases across Lothian, including in Edinburgh, might be rising a bit at worst, but at best not really declining, does it make sense to open things up, knowing that will give the virus ... the opportunity to spread again?
“I hope we will see Edinburgh move down a level in the weeks to come. We will review it again next week, but we have to be careful.”
The FM told yesterday’s coronavirus briefing: “The day I can stand here and say the whole of Scotland is open again, there are no restrictions, go back to living your life normally, will be the happiest day of my life. I can’t wait to get there, but we are not there yet.”
Adam McVey, SNP leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, had demanded a meeting with ministers to get a “full explanation” of why it has not been moved down to level 2.
He said when he spoke to deputy first minister John Swinney and health officials on Sunday, he “heard nothing to suggest Edinburgh could not now safely move into level 2”.
McVey tweeted: “I’ve asked to meet DFM urgently to ensure the Government give a full explanation to the people of Edinburgh on the reasons behind their decision.”
He said he would press for more resources to “support our business further impacted by this decision”.
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