NICOLA Sturgeon has urged independence supporters to use their clout as the “largest political campaigning network in Scotland” to play their part and “look out” for the elderly and the vulnerable.

In a message to Yes supporters, the First Minister said Covid-19 would mean “suspending all campaigning” and “cancelling any planned social events”.

Meetings, she added, “must only be held if using remote technologies”. But the First Minister also pleaded with supporters for help.

She added: “I am asking each of you to now focus on looking out for your family, friends and neighbours – paying particular attention to the elderly or those who have underlying health problems.

“We are the largest political campaigning network in Scotland, with volunteers living in every neighbourhood. We have a big part to play.

“Together we can make sure we are looking out for those around us. Together we can care for those who are elderly and vulnerable.”

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Sturgeon said Yes campaigners should “stay in touch with vulnerable individuals over the phone, by post or online” and “see if people need any shopping, medication or help by running some errands”.

She encouraged them to “create WhatsApp or Facebook groups to co-ordinate the effort across your neighbourhood.”

Sturgeon told the supporters: “Let’s do all we can to rise to this challenge. Let’s ensure those in our communities who need our support most are not left to cope alone.”

The National:

Hostilities in the great constitutional battle were also called off by the other side, with Scotland in Union announcing an end to all campaigning until further notice.

In a letter to supporters, Pamela Nash, the chief executive of the group, said they were cancelling all physical campaigning, including leafletting, and street stalls: “If you have leaflets from Scotland in Union to deliver, please refrain from doing so until we advise otherwise,” she urged her activists.

Meanwhile, there was consensus in Holyrood, with party leaders promising to work together to tackle the outbreak.

Jackson Carlaw told MSPs he had “every confidence” in Sturgeon to lead Scotland through the coronavirus crisis.

The Tory leader offered the “full support” of his party to the First Minister and her government.

He told MSPs: “Ten years ago, I shadowed Nicola Sturgeon as health secretary when she led the national response to a previous epidemic and whatever political differences we might otherwise have, and God knows they are many. I have every confidence in her to lead the country’s response to this crisis at this time.

“Presiding Officer, let me say clearly that this is not the time for opposition parties to exploit our situation or to use partisan and pejorative rhetoric against the efforts being made.

The National:

“To those venting against the UK Government or to me about “Sturgeon’s Government” let me be very clear.

“For now, this is a government for all of us, just as the Government at Westminster is a government for all of us.

“Will mistakes be made? Possibly. Will our response at times be slower than we would wish? Probably.

“And after this is all over, we can learn from our experience and prepare ourselves for any future event.”

The First Minister thanked Carlaw for his comments: “I am a politician to my fingertips but I have never been less interested in party politics than I am right now,” she said.

Sturgeon added: “We have never faced a situation like this so I will

do something else which is not normal for a politician, I will candidly say we will make mistakes, we will not always get this right but we will strive at every turn to do the right thing for the best reasons in good faith.”

In her statement, the First Minister restated her “heartfelt thanks to everyone who works in our health and social care services.”

“They are dealing with pressures which are already great and which will soon become immense. We will do everything possible to support them,” she added.

Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie said he was frightened by the outbreak: “To be frank, we are all afraid,” he told MSPs.

“However, I am comforted by the fact that the First Minister has taken such a professional approach. That gives members confidence that all that can be done is being done.

“That is why I say to everyone, even to those who have doubts, that they need to listen to the First Minister and her excellent advisers. That is the best thing that they can do for themselves and their loved ones.”

Labour’s Richard Leonard described the coronavirus challenge as a “fight for us all, regardless of party”.

“We can do it only if we work together, stand as one and stand together with humility,” he said.