Nicola Sturgeon says Edinburgh anti-lockdown protests 'put lives at risk'

Nicola Sturgeon has condemned a protest against Covid restrictions outside the Scottish Parliament as “deeply irresponsible” and said it was “putting people’s lives at risk”.

The First Minister said while she was a “passionate believer” in freedom of speech, assembly and the right to protest, “right now coming together in groups is putting people at risk, and frankly it's not an exaggeration to say it's putting people's lives at risk”.

Speaking at her daily Covid briefing on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said the Scotland Against Lockdown protest, which took place at lunchtime outside the Scottish Parliament, was “deeply irresponsible, whoever you are and whatever cause you may be protesting for or against”.

Police officers stand outside the Scottish Parliament as members of the public attend an anti lockdown protest held by The Scotland Against Lockdown group in Edinburgh. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Only around a dozen protesters turned up, with police officers far outnumbering them, according to one onlooker.