The twists and turns that led to Scotland's former chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood resigning after lockdown trips to second home
6am - Photos reveal Calderwood broke her own lockdown rules
The Scottish Sun on Sunday published explosive photos that claimed to show Dr Calderwood visiting her second home, in Earlsferry, Fife, despite being seen earlier at her address in Edinburgh - nearly 50 miles away.
11:05am - Calderwood issues a statement
“I wish to apologise unreservedly for the issue reported in the media today,” she said.
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Hide Ad“While I and my family followed the guidance on social distancing at all times, I understand that I did not follow the advice I am giving to others, and I am truly sorry for that.
“I know how important this advice is and I do not want my mistake to distract from that.
She finished, “having spoken with the First Minister this morning I will continue to focus entirely on that job.”
12pm - Chief Constable Iain Livingstone confirms officers spoke to Calderwood
In a statement, Livingstone said local officers had visited the Chief Medical Officer “and spoke to her about her actions, reiterated crucial advice and issued a warning about her future conduct, all of which she accepted.”
Referring to current lockdown measures, he said “individuals must not make personal exemptions bespoke to their own circumstances.
2:30pm - Calderwood admits visiting second home twice
At the Government’s daily briefing alongside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Dr Calderwood said her own actions were wrong and admitted she also visited her second home last weekend with her husband.
The First Minister defended the Chief Medical Officer, saying that her actions were “wrong”, but insisting that her expertise was invaluable.
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Hide AdSturgeon asked the public “not to be angry” and to allow Calderwood to continue providing expertise to the Scottish Government.
9:45pm - Calderwood resigns
After a day spent defending Dr Catherine Calderwood, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accepted the resignation of her top health adviser.
In a statement just before 10pm, Dr Calderwood said she was quitting because “the justifiable focus on my behaviour risks becoming a distraction from the hugely important job that government and the medical profession has to do in getting the country through this coronavirus pandemic.”
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