'Give her a break' - Readers react after Nicola Sturgeon apologises for funeral Covid mask breach

Hundreds of Edinburgh Evening News readers expressed a mixture of anger and sympathy after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was photographed without a mask inside a bar during a funeral.

Readers react after Nicola Sturgeon apologises about Covid breach picture: JPI Media

Last night The Scottish Sun published a photograph of Ms Sturgeon standing talking to three pensioners at a distance, but with her face uncovered in an Edinburgh restaurant.

The picture was reportedly taken at the Stable Bar and Restaurant following the funeral of a colleague. Under Scottish Government guidance, hospitality customers must wear a face covering except when seated.

The paper quotes the First Minister admitting she had made a “stupid mistake” and was “kicking herself”.

Some readers were quick to defend Ms Sturgeon saying it was an “honest mistake.”

Carly Page said: “At a funeral of her colleague, I think her mind may have been elsewhere and any rational human could understand this lapse.”

Ann Brown condemned those taking aim at the First Minister saying they should “give her a break" as “she has been working hard, round the clock for months and months."

Reader John Paterson said: “I’m not a fan of SNP but she has been the only world class leader and has simply excelled - give her a break it was a simple mistake.

"I’d like to meet anyone who hasn’t done something technically ‘wrong’ for a single moment during Covid.”

Kevin Finnie-Locke said Ms Sturgeon “is only human” and that “we have all breached the Covid rules one way or another.”

Reader David Paterson said, despite not being the First Minister's “biggest fan”, the criticism was “silly.”

He said: “I’m not one of her biggest fans but it’s getting silly. There will not be a person in the country that hasn’t forgot to put a mask on at one time or another and in fairness she does have a lot on her mind.”

Others have said it was “disrespectful” of someone to be taking a photo of Ms Sturgeon at a funeral in the first place.

Reader Gus Stewart said: “Stalked at a funeral...even for The Sun that's below the belt.

"Sorry it happened, apologies accepted, nothing to see here.”

Less forgiving readers

Yet others were less sympathetic towards the Scottish leader and were quick to take aim at her face mask lapse.

Reader Tony Stamp called for her immediate resignation.

He said: “What an absolute disgrace. She tells us every day to obey her Covid advice, then gets caught in a boozer breaking the rules. She needs to resign.

"Anyone else in such a position of responsibility would have been sacked. She needs to resign now.”

Patrick Roberts said: “Utterly shameful and disgraceful behaviour. By rights she should resign from her position.”

Kathy Aliberti said it wasn’t fair on other officials who have been asked to step down due to breaching Covid rules.

She said: “Catherine Calderwood was kicking herself, Sturgeon said she should resign. Sturgeon said Cummings should resign.

"She said Ferrier should resign. I totally agree with the First Minister, the rule makers who break the rules should resign."

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