Police Scotland have issued a warning to chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood.
The warning was issued after she was photographed breaking her own lockdown measures while visiting her family's second home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish Government issued a travel warning last month criticising the “irresponsible behaviour” of people with second homes and campervans travelling to the Highlands in a bid to isolate.
However, Calderwood was criticised by politicians for flouting her own advice.
Police Scotland have now confirmed that they visited Dr Calderwood and issued a warning over her conduct.
Chief constable Iain Livingstone said: “Earlier today, local officers visited Dr Catherine Calderwood and spoke to her about her actions, reiterated crucial advice and issued a warning about her future conduct, all of which she accepted.
“The legal instructions on not leaving your home without a reasonable excuse apply to everyone. Social distancing is the key intervention to curtail the spread of coronavirus and it is essential that the instructions are followed to protect each other, take strain from the NHS and save lives.
“Individuals must not make personal exemptions bespoke to their own circumstances.”
Chief Constable @CC_Livingstone statement on the conduct of the Chief Medical Officer. pic.twitter.com/oTkCyk6xzd
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) April 5, 2020
READ MORE: Coronavirus LIVE: Updates as positive cases in Scotland pass 3,300
In a statement apologising for her actions, she said: “I wish to apologise unreservedly for the issue reported in the media today.
“While there are reasons for what I did, they do not justify it and they were not legitimate reasons to be out of my home. While I and my family followed the guidance on social distancing at all times, I understand that I did not follow the advice I am giving to others, and I am truly sorry for that.
“I know how important this advice is and I do not want my mistake to distract from that.
"I have a job to do as Chief Medical Officer to provide advice to Ministers on the path of this virus and to support the medical profession as they work night and day to save lives, and having spoken with the First Minister this morning I will continue to focus entirely on that job.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said on Saturday: “Since this start of this epidemic, the CMO has been working seven days a week preparing Scotland’s response.
“She took the opportunity this weekend to check on a family home in Fife as she knows she will not be back again until the crisis is over.
“She stayed overnight before returning to Edinburgh.
“In line with guidance, she stayed within her own household group and observed social distancing with anyone she was in passing in the village.”
Scotland’s Constitution Secretary Mike Russell said there was no doubt Dr Calderwood’s visit – which the Scottish Government confirmed was an overnight stay to “check on a family home” – was “ill-advised”.
He said she would be “answerable” for her decision when she appears at the daily coronavirus briefing with Ms Sturgeon later.
Mr Russell added: “I’m saying to everybody… do not go out except in the very exceptional circumstances that are listed, think about these things and remember by breaking them you are risking lives.”
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