Deputy Chief Medical Officer to step up as Dr Calderwood resigns

Dr Gregor Smith will step into the role until the First Minister makes a decision on a permanent appointment

Dr Gregor Smith, GP and current deputy Chief Medical Officer will be stepping into the role of CMO after the resignation of Dr Catherine Calderwood.

Dr Calderwood resigned after it was revealed that she had made two trips to her second home in Fife, breaking the lockdown guidelines.

She was later cautioned by Police Scotland for her actions, and resigned her position after a discussion with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman announced on BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland that Dr Smith would step up to the role, although it was down to the First Minister to decide on the permanent appointment.

Nicola Sturgeon appeared on both BBC Breakfast and ITV’s Good Morning Britain to discuss the removal of Dr Calderwood from the role and faced criticism for not making the decision to sack the CMO immediately.

Sturgeon defended her delay by stating that she was keen to maintain a “continuity of advice” although claimed that by the end of the day she realised that this was “not prepared to have the government messages undermined.”