A momentary lapse with lasting damage

NICOLA Sturgeon’s failure to wear a mask, in breach of Scotland’s now-rescinded Covid law, was merely a ‘momentary lapse’, her supporters maintain.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf asserted that her critics were attempting to make ‘political capital’ out of an honest mistake.

Yet is that not exactly what the SNP has been doing for months over the Downing Street Partygate row?

It will tolerate slip-ups, it seems, apart from those made by its opponents.

Police officers have spoken to the First Minister and the matter is closed – she has apologised, while re-stating that people should still wear face-coverings in certain circumstances, even if there is no formal edict in place.

It is not her first lapse, and her Green MSP colleagues also flouted lockdown measures, as did the former Chief Medical Officer.

Doubtless Miss Sturgeon – or those who rushed to her defence – will be demanding Boris Johnson’s resignation this week when he faces yet more scrutiny over Downing Street gatherings.

Such confected outrage would be staggering hypocrisy from a politician who has had to be reminded of the laws for which her government was responsible.

Even more seriously, the credibility of the First Minister is on the line.

Many of us will question whether her exhortations for Covid-compliant behaviour – once made on a daily basis on live television – can ever be taken seriously again.