DIFFERENT APPROACH ‘NOT POLITICAL’ SAYS STRUGEON

Nicola Sturgeon, pictured left,  says Scotland could have a different exit from the Covid-19 lockdown if she felt the UK government had taken “premature” decisions.

The first minster told the BBC she would do what she judged best to protect Scotland’s population.

But Ms Sturgeon added she would not take a different path “for the sake of it”.

“It’s not political in any way, shape or form,” she told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show.

A total of 1,249 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Scotland, according to the latest Scottish government data.

Statistics published on Sunday showed that another 18 people had died with virus, though the actual number of deaths is much higher.

The UK’s total hospital death toll of those infected with Covid-19 passed 20,000 on Saturday.

The first minister said lifting lockdown measures that have been in place since 23 March and renewed for a further three weeks on 16 April would not be the “flick of a switch”.

“As we do start to ease them, there will be a real need for caution and a slow, gradual process,” she said.