Nicola Sturgeon has apologised for not wearing a mask in a pub during a funeral wake

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has issued an apology after she was seen taking off her mask inside at a funeral wake.

In a photograph published by the Scottish Sun, Ms Sturgeon is seen talking to three women inside a bar without a mask, but socially distanced.

‘Stupid mistake’

Under current Scottish Covid-19 rules, customers in hospitality venues must wear a face covering at all times, except when seated.

In a statement, Ms Sturgeon said, “Last Friday, while attending a funeral wake, I had my mask off briefly. This was a stupid mistake and I’m really sorry.

“I take every day about the importance of masks, so I’m not going to offer any excuses.

“I was in the wrong, I’m kicking myself, and I’m sorry.”

Scotland’s Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf tweeted, “FM has approached pandemic by being upfront from v beginning.

“She has apologised for an accidental lapse (which I suspect most of us have had one over the last nine months).

“I’ve known her for 15 years and she is her harshest critic. I am sure most ppl will understand, accept apology and move on.”

‘First Minister should know better’

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said, “The first minister should know better. By forgetting the rules and failing to set a proper example, she’s undermining essential public health messaging.

“It’s a blunder that an ordinary member of the public wouldn’t get away with. There cannot be one rule for Nicola Sturgeon and another for everyone else.”

On social media platform Twitter, many were quick to point out the hypocrisy of the statement from the Scottish Conservative spokesperson.

“Dominic Cummings, Robert Jenrick, Prince Charles (plus entourage), William and Kate, Boris… all broke Covid rules… Blatantly. Nicola Sturgeon briefly removes her mask while maintaining social distance, and the tories want hanging brought back… jog on,” one user wrote.

Another tweeted, “True to form, the Conservatives (Scottish division) can not hear how completely ridiculous they sound calling for the head of Nicola Sturgeon for briefly standing up in a pub, during a wake, without putting her mask on, claiming it undermines the public health message. Lunatics.”

Another wrote, “Are we really going to have a go at Nicola Sturgeon for briefly taking her mask off at a funeral (and then apologising for it) when Cummings drove to Durham and claimed he was taking an eye test while driving and didn’t apologise?”