NICOLA STURGEON is under continuing pressure from opposition MSPs over the government’s decision to leave parts of Scotland under tighter coronavirus restrictions. 

In the Scottish Parliament today, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard accused the First Minister of taking a “political decision” to leave Edinburgh in Tier 3 restrictions.

As part of the government’s weekly review of tiered restrictions this week, the capital was not downgraded to Tier 2, despite cases being at levels seen in areas living under looser measures.

The Scottish Labour leader said that public health officials had briefed local council leadership and the chief executive of Edinburgh, stating the city should be moved to level 2 earlier this week, questioning why ministers had “voted to overturn that advice.”

Mr Leonard warned “overriding recommendations” risked losing the “trust and confidence” of the public, asking Ms Sturgeon to publish the advice given to her.  

He added: “What is the evidence, the rationale or insight that justifies that decision based on that judgement?           

“This is about more than just the city of Edinburgh. It is about transparency and it is about public trust and confidence. 

“Decisions like the one this week appear to have been political rather than scientific decisions.” 

The First Minister was quizzed ahead of a motion being presented to Edinburgh City Council calling for the government to “follow scientific evidence and advice”on the city’s restrictions.

Ms Sturgeon defended the government’s decision, saying that in the last seven days the number of cases per 100,000 in Edinburgh has gone up by 14 per cent and test positivity has gone up by 0.5 per cent. 

The SNP leader also questioned why she would keep Edinburgh under stricter restrictions if there was not a need to do so.