THE First Minister said she “deprecates” those casting aspersions on a global health expert’s integrity following a Twitter row over schools reopening this morning.
Devi Sridhar, who advises the Scottish Government on coronavirus, posted a thread explaining how proper suppression of Covid-19 to less than 20 known cases could get schools back to some kind of normal by August.
When a journalist suggested Sridhar’s comments were in line with calls from former FM Jack McConnell to get children learning full-time again as soon as possible, Sridhar clarified her views at “completely aligned” with Nicola Sturgeon’s – and she supports her slow, careful easing of lockdown.
READ MORE: Devi Sridhar hits back at Ruth Davidson after 'disgraceful' tweet
Shortly after high-profile Unionist figures like former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and ex Better Together boss Blair McDougall suggested the professor had been made to publish the post.
Davidson suggested Sridhar had received the “hairdryer treatment” over the phone for her posts – and McDougall joked that the professor should read out her tweet on camera “in a video that begins with someone in a balaclava holding a copy of today’s newspaper”.
While Sturgeon called Davidson’s initial tweet “utterly disgraceful”, denying any telling off and criticising her for suggesting Sridhar, the chair of global public health at Edinburgh University, would be susceptible to such tactics, she addressed her anger towards the wider group making similar claims on social media today.
READ MORE: Ruth Davidson slammed for 'disgraceful' claim about virus expert
During First Minister’s Questions, the SNP leader was asked by Jackson Carlaw whether she agreed with Sridhar’s point about suppression of Covid-19 allowing kids to return to classrooms on a full-time basis.
Sturgeon told MSPs: “Yes I do agree wholeheartedly with Professor Sridhar’s analysis. Can I say as an aside, Presiding Officer, that I deprecate anyone who is casting aspersions on the integrity of Devi Sridhar this morning.
“I agree with her in the totality of what she says. Not just the bits of her analysis that suit my particular argument. I want to get schools back to normal as quickly as possible, I want to get our economy back to normal as quickly as possible, but I also know that all of that has to be safe.
READ MORE: Covid-19: Devi Sridhar takes aim at Blair McDougall in schools row
“We cannot have memories so short that we already forget that we are dealing with a virus that is dangerous and potentially deadly – and it has not gone away. So we must continue to move forward in a careful and phased way.”
The Scottish Tory leader then told her: “It’s not enough simply to deprecate all those who ask questions whether they’re politicians or journalists when they do.”
He argued parents want to see radical measures taken to ensure their children can learn full-time in a safe environment.
Again Sturgeon reiterated her support for Sridhar’s comments, but pointed out that around the world schooling has had to change to prevent the spread of Covid-19. She stressed the importance of suppressing the virus effectively which would allow pupils to learn in a normal way again while staying safe.
The SNP leader also rejected Carlaw’s claim about her deprecating “all those who ask questions”.
She said: “Just for the record, Presiding Officer, I do not deprecate anybody who asks questions. I deprecate people who cast aspersions on the integrity of an expert. And I think it’s really important to be clear about that.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel