A video posted on social media shows the first minister not wearing a mask during a barber shop visit on Saturday in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, during a local election campaign. In the mobile video, Sturgeon, who became the first minister in 2014, appears without covering her face as she talks to clients and caresses a man’s head in a barber chair, while imitating the sound of electric clippers. However, in another video posted on her official Twitter account from the same event, she appears to be wearing a tartan face mask as she shaves a man’s beard. Restrictions in Scotland mean that it is a legal requirement to wear a face mask in most indoor public places, including shops, public transport and hair salons. The rules will be guided on Monday, though they will advise people to continue wearing masks when needed. Sturgeon apologized in December 2020 for violating Covid rules by removing her face mask at a funeral, describing it as a “stupid mistake.” Voters will go to the polls to elect their local councils in May. A Scottish police spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint which is currently being evaluated. An SNP spokesman said: “The first minister was invited to the barbershop during an outdoor road visit. “Within a few seconds, she realized that she had not put on her mask again and put it on immediately.” Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the incident showed Sturgeon was a hypocrite. “The video clearly shows that Nicola Sturgeon is not doing what she preaches in face masks. “She is happy to signal for official photos, but behind closed doors it is clear that she does not believe in her own rules, so why should anyone else do it?” The Press Association contributed to this report
