Crisis, what crisis? Sturgeon set for 5th Festival appearance

NICOLA Sturgeon is set to make her fifth Festival appearance tomorrow – as the bin strike in Edinburgh continues.

Following a three-day trip to Copenhagen, the First Minister flew back to Scotland last night.

But she was immediately criticised over her priorities as it emerged she is taking part in yet another show while rubbish piles up in the streets of the capital.

The First Minister is due to appear on stage alongside Hollywood actor and fellow Scot Brian Cox, who stars in Succession, an HBO drama about a powerful media dynasty.

Last week she was interviewed by journalist Graham Spiers at the

New Town Theatre. Ms Sturgeon’s previous Festival attendances include taking part in a panel with former Labour Party adviser Ayesha Hazarika, when she dismissed claims made by Liz Truss that she is an attention seeker.

And during a conversation with LBC Radio host Iain Dale, she was asked about her relationship with Alex Salmond.

Her appearance tomorrow night at the Edinburgh Book Festival – where she previously chaired a panel event – comes only days after she toured Copenhagen, where she spoke to net-zero campaigners. After meeting green energy investor Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Ms Sturgeon reiterated her ambition to turn Scotland into a net zero country by 2045.

The official reason for her trip was to promote Scotland’s Nordic links and to open an ‘embassy’ in Denmark. But critics say going to Scandinavia and her appearances at the Festival are ill-timed with bin strikes crippling Scotland.

Sharon Dowey, Scottish Conservative spokesman for Culture, Europe and International Development launched a scathing attack on the First Minister. The MSP for South Scotland said Ms Sturgeon was using the Festival to keep the spotlight on herself.

Ms Dowey added: ‘Edinburgh’s summer festivals should be a chance for our capital to take centre stage, not Nicola Sturgeon.

‘Instead of sorting out the bin strikes caused by her own government’s savage council cuts, the First Minister takes part in yet another speaking event. With dozens more council worker strikes about to start across the country, it’s time Nicola Sturgeon gave the self-promotion a rest and focused on tackling the crises unfolding under her government.’

The Scottish Government tweeted that while in Denmark Ms Sturgeon had spent time with advocates for women’s rights. The First Minister’s account said: ‘Last night, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met with some of Denmark’s leading advocates for gender equality.

‘They discussed barriers facing women seeking senior leadership roles and actions needed to ensure all women can realise their potential in their chosen career path.’

‘Tackle crises unfolding in her government’