Scottish medical chief warned by police after second home visit

Police have given Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood a warning after she visited her second home in Fife.

Police Scotland said on Sunday that Dr Calderwood admitted that she had gone against her own advice.

Chief Constable lain Livingstone said, “Earlier today, local officers visited Dr Catherine Calderwood and spoke to her about her actions, reiterated crucial advice and issued a warning about her future conduct, all of which she accepted.

“Social distancing is the key intervention to curtail the spread of coronavirus and it is essential the instructions are followed to protect each other, support key workers, take strain from the NHS, and save lives.

“Individuals must not make personal exemptions bespoke to their own circumstances.”

Chief Constable @CC_Livingstone statement on the conduct of the Chief Medical Officer. pic.twitter.com/oTkCyk6xzd

— Police Scotland (@policescotland) April 5, 2020

Dr Calderwood apologised on Social media after The Scottish Sun newspaper photographed her attending her holiday home in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland.

She said there were “reasons” why she left her main address in Edinburgh, but admitted, they were “not legitimate reasons.”

pic.twitter.com/hZ2jph6cwS

— Cath Calderwood (@CathCalderwood1) April 5, 2020

Dr Calderwood said in a statement, “I wish to apologise unreservedly for the issue reported in the media today.

“While there are reasons for what I did, they did not justify it and they were not legitimate reasons to be out of my home.

“I understand that I did not follow the advice I am giving to others, and I am truly sorry for that.”

Scottish Conservatives leader Jackson Carlaw said, “Dr Calderwood’s position is very difficult, untenable even, given the damage this has caused public trust.

“The vast majority of Scots are complying with official advice to stay home and protect our NHS.

“There cannot be one rule for the bosses and another one for everyone else.”

The Health Secretary said on Sunday speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge, he does “not want to have to take away exercise as a reason to leave home.”

Matt Hancock said if people continue to break the law and do not follow the rules, then the government “might have to take further action.”

Hancock said, “We’ve said it’s okay to get some exercise, I don’t want to have to take away exercise as a reason to leave home if too many people are not following the rules.