Nicola Sturgeon says politicians must ‘set example’ after SNP Glasgow leader apology

Nicola Sturgeon has warned political leaders have a responsibility to "lead by example" in the fight against Covid after pictures emerged of the SNP leader in Glasgow appearing to breach distancing rules.

Susan Aitken apologised over Covid breach

Susan Aitken apologised for the appearance of a breach after she was captured in a pub within the recommended one metre distance from others, although she denied any rules had been broken.Ms Aitken was photographed at the Metropolitan Bar with fellow SNP councillors Christina Cannon and Jen Layden and Labour’s Aileen McKenzie on Friday night, after fresh restrictions had been imposed on the city on visting other households.Ms Sturgeon warned the “rules apply to all of us” as she was questioned about the issue.“We’re all human, these are difficult rules I know to remember and to comply with on a daily basis, we’re all vulnerable in that respect,” she said.“But we mustn’t, those of us that are in public life, we mustn’t ever give the impression that the rules apply other people and not to us.“I would say to everybody in a position of leadership and in elected office in particular that you have a responsibility to lead by example and just to make sure that we are doing what we asking other people to do which is to be very, very conscious of this on a daily basis.”Ms Aitken said that the group had formed an extended household which means distancing rules need not apply, but apologised over concerns about the alleged breach.

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