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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was left outraged after BBC’s Scotland editor, Sarah Smith, accused Ms Sturgeon of having ulterior motives during the coronavirus crisis. Ms Sturgeon tweeted her frustration after the claims were made by Ms Smith on Monday’s BBC News at 10. Ms Smith said: “The Scottish Government say, like all of the UK nations, they base their actions on expert advice they are given and it has got nothing to do with politics.

“But it has been obvious that Nicola Sturgeon has enjoyed the opportunity to set her own lockdown rules and not having to follow what is happening in England or other parts of the UK.

“The gamble is whether or not people will continue to support her taking a different path when they are living under more stringent restrictions than people in other parts of the UK.”

Soon after, Ms Smith faced a furious backlash as many felt she had painted the First Minister unfairly. 

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: “Never in my entire political career have I ‘enjoyed’ anything less than this.

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“My heart breaks every day for all those who have lost loved ones to this virus.”

Many viewers also jumped to the defence of Ms Sturgeon for her handling of coronavirus.

Other viewers took aim at the BBC for politicising the current health pandemic.

A frustrated Twitter user wrote: “Shameless no longer covers the BBC.

“You keep doing what is right Nicola and, going by what I’m hearing, Scotland is behind you all the way.”

Another added: “Ms Smith is deliberately misleading the public with so-called information.

“There are more accurate alternative descriptions available.”

A third insisted Ms Smith should face punishment for her jab at the First Minister.

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They wrote: “Sarah Smith wasn’t reporting anything, but a clear personal attack on the First Minister.

“Absolutely bloody disgrace.”

Ms Smith has since issued an apology on Twitter to Ms Sturgeon and expressed regret for her claim.

She wrote: “For the avoidance of any doubt, I am sorry that by mistake I said on the news last night that Nicola Sturgeon was enjoying the opportunity to set lockdown policy in Scotland.

“That was not what I meant to say and I apologise to her for my error.”

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