After Covid Nike affair, does Nicola Sturgeon still have confidence in Jeane Freeman? – John McLellan

The Scottish Government has failed to answer pressing questions about the Covid outbreak at a Nike conference in Edinburgh, writes John McLellan.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has failed to offer satisfactory explanations about the response to an early outbreak of coronavirus in Edinburgh's Hilton Carlton Hotel during a Nike Conference (Picture: Fraser Bremner  Pool/Getty Images)Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has failed to offer satisfactory explanations about the response to an early outbreak of coronavirus in Edinburgh's Hilton Carlton Hotel during a Nike Conference (Picture: Fraser Bremner  Pool/Getty Images)
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has failed to offer satisfactory explanations about the response to an early outbreak of coronavirus in Edinburgh's Hilton Carlton Hotel during a Nike Conference (Picture: Fraser Bremner Pool/Getty Images)

As the Scottish Government tries to close down the questions about the Hilton Carlton Hotel Nike conference at the root of Scotland’s Covid-19 outbreak, a new twist has emerged.

Not only did some visit a kilt-maker and go on an Old Town walkabout, but delegates also had dinner in an Old Town restaurant.

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But here’s the mystery; while the kilt-maker and the tour guides (and Lloyds Bank staff who were cheek-by-jowl with them in the hotel) were not contacted by health officials, the dinner venue owner says they were and there was no problem.

Something is very badly amiss about the explanations being given and for that only Health Minister Jeane Freeman is responsible.

As supporters of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon are quick to point out in their uncomplimentary comparisons with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, confidence in the messenger is everything. After this, can anyone genuinely say they have confidence in Ms Freeman? Can the First Minister?

Illogical and unfair

Follow the science. I asked a similar question last week, but which science dictates that B&Q can open to sell its vast array of household and gardening products, but Dobbies cannot sell its vast array of gardening and household products?

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Maybe there will be a change of heart today, but the Scottish Government’s refusal to allow garden centres to trade immediately while rivals steal a march is illogical and unfair.

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