Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon proposes different lockdown ‘exit’ strategy from the rest of UK

Nicola Sturgeon is determined to fill the UK leadership deficit over the coronavirus crisis

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has once again intervened decisively in the UK’s coronavirus crisis by proposing an alternative roadmap for her nation.

Sturgeon, who is also the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), said Scotland could have a “different exit” from the UK-wide lockdown if the British government made “premature” decisions.  

Speaking to BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, the SNP leader was adamant that her decision to undertake alternative action would not be political “in any way, shape or form”. 

Sturgeon appears to be reacting to mounting speculation that the British government is planning to ease coronavirus-related restrictions once the current lockdown expires on May 09.

It is no secret that Scotland’s First Minister is in favor of a more prolonged lockdown, or failing that for adequate restrictions to remain in place to avoid a second coronavirus peak.

Sturgeon also hinted that under the right conditions she would give consideration to closing the Scotland-England border in order to stem the advance of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. 

"I don't have the power to close borders but these are discussions of course we want to continue to have with the UK government", Sturgeon told Marr.

Sturgeon’s combative interview with the BBC came just before the announcement of another 18 coronavirus-related deaths in Scotland, taking the total to 1,267.

Across the UK as a whole there have been 20, 732 COVID-19 fatalities in hospitals. However, the real death toll is believed to be much higher as the official statistics omit deaths in care homes and the wider community.