These are the plans in place if First Minister Nicola Sturgeon becomes ill with Covid-19 after Boris Johnson's intensive care admission

At her daily press conference this afternoon First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was asked what plans were in place if she developed symptoms of Covid-19

The question was raised after it emerged that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had taken up the role of de facto leader of the British Government, as Mr Johnson was admitted to intensive care.

The Prime Minister was initially hospitalised on Sunday evening for what Downing Street called “routine tests”. He tested positive for coronavirus 12 days ago.

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Ms Sturgeon explained to reporters that she would continue to lead Scotland’s Government for as long as was “medically appropriate”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

She said that there were “continuity arrangements” in place in the event that she became too sick to continue in her role, but refused to go into further detail.

She did, however, outline, that it would be the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, who would take over her responsibilities, should she be incapacitated.

The Deputy First Minister of Scotland also serves as the Secretary of Education in the Scottish Government.

Not without precedent

In 2000, Donald Dewar, the inaugural First Minister of Scotland, died of a brain haemorrhage while in office.

Dewar’s death meant Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace became the acting First Minister for several weeks before a formal successor could be appointed.

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