Sturgeon says house parties are now ‘lethal’

House parties are now a “danger to life” because of coronavirus, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.

She made the comment when pressed on whether “tougher fines” should be brought in for those who host such gatherings.

The first minister said the level of fines and enforcement action is kept “under review”.

Last weekend, Police Scotland broke up 405 house parties across Scotland and six people were arrested.

Current coronavirus restrictions mean any gatherings should be limited to a maximum of six people from no more than two households – while in several council areas tougher rules mean people are barred from entering other homes.

Police now have the power to break up house parties with more than 15 people present, as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

But despite this, Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan said reports of such gathering are continuing.

During First Minister’s Questions, the SNP backbencher asked if Ms Sturgeon considers it “appropriate that tougher fines should be implemented for the hosts of house parties”.

She told him it is a “legitimate issue”, and added: “These are important issues and we continue to keep all of this under review.

“I understand that young people want to socialise and see their friends, there is nothing more natural than that, but house parties right now are a danger, they are a danger to people’s health and frankly they are a danger to life.”

She said breaches of coronavirus regulations can currently be punished with fixed-penalty notices – which can rise up to £960 for repeat offenders.

She added: “Where prosecution is deemed appropriate the sheriff court can impose a fine of up to £5,000 and higher fines can be imposed depending on the charge libelled.

“But we will continue to keep the level of fines and enforcement under review.”

She said the “vast majority of people” are complying with the restrictions, and warned: “Where people are just flagrantly breaching the rules, that should be treated seriously.”