Sturgeon apologises after taking face mask off at wake

Nicola Sturgeon has apologised after she breached Covid rules by taking off her face mask at a funeral wake.

A photograph published in the Scottish Sun showed the First Minister chatting to three women in a bar in Edinburgh while standing at a distance but without wearing a mask.

Customers in hospitality venues must wear a face covering, except when seated at a table.

Sturgeon, who regularly stresses the importance of masks during her coronavirus briefings, said: “Last Friday, while attending a funeral wake, I had my mask off briefly. This was a stupid mistake and I’m really sorry.

“I talk every day about the importance of masks, so I’m not going to offer any excuses. I was in the wrong, I’m kicking myself, and I’m sorry.”

Anyone who breaches face covering rules can be given a £60 fine.

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “The First Minister should know better. By forgetting the rules and failing to set a proper example, she’s undermining essential public health messaging.

“It’s a blunder that an ordinary member of the public wouldn’t get away with. There cannot be one rule for Nicola Sturgeon and another for everyone else.”

Scotland’s justice secretary Humza Yousaf tweeted: “FM has approached pandemic by being upfront from v beginning.

“She has apologised for accidental lapse (which I suspect most of us have had one over last 9 months).

“I’ve known her for 15yrs & she is her harshest critic. I am sure most ppl will understand, accept apology & move on.”