Swinney in rule break apology
JOHN Swinney has apologised over an apparent breach of coronavirus rules while out on the campaign trail.
The Deputy First Minister deleted a picture he posted on Twitter of himself and four other party activists after they met up while out leafleting for the May election.
Candidates for the Holyrood poll have been told they must follow the same rules as the rest of the nation, with four people from two households allowed to meet up outdoors.
The snap, posted at about 3pm on Friday was captioned: “Delighted to get out on the SNP campaign trail today.” But the picture was swiftly deleted.
Swinney said: “A small number of my supporters were leafleting in the same town. We should not have gathered together at that time and I apologise for that.”
It came after police spoke to the Scottish minister responsible for setting Covid rules, Graeme Dey, over a separate incident.
It is believed he asked at least eight people to gather near Carnoustie Beach for a picture “marking the first day of the Scottish election campaign”.
Reacting to the revelations, Lib Dem councillor Peter Barrett, who is running against Swinney in Perthshire North, said: “Every candidate needs to set a good example and that goes double for Cabinet ministers.
“Instead, senior SNP figures have breached the rules at the first available opportunity.”
The Scottish Tory candidate for the area, Murdo Fraser, said: “This is very embarrassing for John Swinney, who, as Deputy First Minister, should be aware of the various Covid restrictions.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers have since spoken to those involved. There were no fixed penalty
notices issued.”