Sturgeon urges: 'Follow Government advice despite public anger'

Nicola Sturgeon has urged the public to follow government coronavirus advice “even if you feel angry with a politician just now”.

The First Minister made the plea following Boris Johnson’s announcement of further restrictions in England on Wednesday.

It came as the Prime Minister is coming under increasing pressure over an alleged party held at Downing Street last Christmas as the country was under strict lockdown rules.

Just minutes after Johnson’s announcement Sturgeon tweeted: “All these protections are already in place in Scotland and have helped us get Delta cases down.

“Tough question we all face in period ahead is whether these protections will be strong enough against a rapidly spreading Omicron variant.”

3/ In meantime, all of us complying strictly with current protections will help. And even if you feel angry with a politician just now, please remember just how important compliance is for the health & safety of you, your loved ones and the country 🙏
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 8, 2021

The First Minister went on stress the importance of the country’s response to the Omicron variant of Covid-19 as numbers continue to grow and create “big challenges” for the NHS.

She said: “Even if (and it is still if) Omicron doesn’t cause more severe disease, the numbers of people who might be infected by its faster spread will create big challenges for NHS and economy – so we need to consider carefully (but quite quickly) what proportionate response needed.”

Then, in an apparent reference to the Prime Minister and public anger over the party believed to held on December 18 2020, she finished of her Tweet by saying: “In meantime, all of us complying strictly with current protections will help.

“And even if you feel angry with a politician just now, please remember just how important compliance is for the health & safety of you, your loved ones and the country.”

On Tuesday a leaked video from last year showing Downing Street staff joking about covering up a party just days after the alleged event is said to have taken place surfaced.

Speaking from the same room his aide was filmed last year joking about the Christmas party, the Prime Minister said, for England, work from home guidance would return, Covid passports would become mandatory in large venues, and mask rules would be extended.

After the video was made public SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called for Johnson to “go now”.

Allegra Stratton, who was Johnson’s spokeswoman at the time of the recording when she was heard joking about the party, resigned after the leaked clip emerged, offering “profound apologies” and saying she would “regret those remarks for the rest of my days”.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted that rules were followed in Downing Street since the claims first emerged.