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Coronavirus: Scotland's chief medical officer resigns over lockdown trip Coronavirus: Scotland's chief medical officer resigns over lockdown trip
(30 minutes later)
Scotland's chief medical officer has resigned after apologising for visiting her second home during the coronavirus lockdown. Scotland's chief medical officer has resigned after apologising for making visits to her second home during the coronavirus lockdown.
Dr Catherine Calderwood said she was "deeply sorry" and resigned "with a heavy heart". Dr Catherine Calderwood initially said she planned to continue in the role.
She said she agreed with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that the "justifiable focus" on her behaviour risked distracting from the pandemic response. But she later issued another statement saying she agreed with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that the "justifiable focus" on her actions risked distracting from the pandemic response.
Dr Calderwood was given a police warning after making the trip to Fife. Dr Calderwood had been given a police warning after making the trip to Fife.
The chief medical officer was among those who have been urging the public to stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.The chief medical officer was among those who have been urging the public to stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.
However, pictures of her during the a family trip to Earlsferry were published in The Scottish Sun. However, pictures of her during a trip to Earlsferry - more than an hour's drive from her main family home in Edinburgh - on Saturday were published in The Scottish Sun.
Ms Sturgeon said: "Dr Calderwood's advice to me, to the government and to people across Scotland over the past few weeks has been the right advice. People should continue to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives. Dr Calderwood issued an apology on Sunday morning and said she did not want her "mistake" to distract from the guidance on social distancing.
"It is, however, clear that the mistake she made - even though she has apologised sincerely and honourably for it - risks distracting from and undermining confidence in the government's public health message at this crucial time. She later told a press briefing that she had made another visit to the property in Fife last weekend with her husband.
"That is not a risk either of us is willing to take." The chief medical officer issued a further apology, but reiterated she would stay in her post.
'Very serious mistake' However, on Sunday evening she released another statement in which she said she was "deeply sorry for my actions and the mistakes I have made".
In her statement, Dr Calderwood said: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and the mistakes I have made. Dr Calderwood said: "The first minister and I have had a further conversation this evening and we have agreed that 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.
"The first minister and I have had a further conversation this evening and we have agreed that 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.
"Having worked so hard on the government's response, that is the last thing I want.""Having worked so hard on the government's response, that is the last thing I want."
'Embarrassing and inevitable'
She said she would work to ensure a smooth transition to her successor.She said she would work to ensure a smooth transition to her successor.
The first minister added that the "very serious mistake" made by Dr Calderwood should not detract from her "highly valuable contribution to the medical profession and to health in Scotland". Ms Sturgeon said it was "clear" that Dr Calderwood's mistake "risks distracting from and undermining confidence in the government's public health message at this crucial time.
Dr Calderwood had faced calls to resign from opposition politicians. "That is not a risk either of us is willing to take."
Dr Calderwood had earlier faced calls to resign from opposition politicians.
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said her decision to stand down was "embarrassing and inevitable", while Scottish Labour's health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said Ms Sturgeon should have "nipped this in the bud" earlier.Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said her decision to stand down was "embarrassing and inevitable", while Scottish Labour's health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said Ms Sturgeon should have "nipped this in the bud" earlier.