Sturgeon criticised by Leo Kearse for slamming Rangers fans

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The Labour mayor claimed the current ban on people from Salford and Manchester visiting Scotland was an “infringement of civil liberties” for those who had been double vaccinated. The Scottish First Minister enraged the Greater Manchester mayor when she unilaterally announced the ban because of rising cases of the Delta (previously know as the Indian) variant in the area on Friday.

It brings them into line with Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen, which had similar restrictions imposed last month.

But the prominent Labour politician slammed Ms Sturgeon’s actions – and even claimed they were on legally “shaky” ground.

The ban relates to people living in Greater Manchester who had planned non-essential trips – such as holidays – to Scotland before the ban was introduced.

Many said they are unable to get refunds and are consequently left out of pocket – quite substantially in a lot of cases – as a result.

Speaking yesterday he confirmed that he had held talks with a lawyer and suggested the policy could put people from the north of England off holidaying in Scotland.

He said: “If there’s hundreds of people out of pocket you know I will represent them in the best way.

“If there is a legal redress route for them, then that should be considered.”

Ms Sturgeon hit back saying that it was her “duty to keep Scotland as safe as possible”.

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She also accused Mr Burnham of trying to score political points with his outburst.

She told the BBC: “I’ve always got on well with Andy Burnham and if he wants to have a grown-up conversation he only has to pick up the phone but if, as I suspect might be the case, this is more about generating a spat with me as part of some positioning in a Labour leadership contest in future, then I’m not interested.”

Her comments came after the mayor said the Scottish First Minister was “discourteous” and “insulting” to announce the new rules on Friday without any prior warning.

He said: “When the UK Government have made changes affecting Greater Manchester, they called us in advance to discuss.

“The Scottish Government gave us no such courtesy. Sorry, but it’s straightforward arrogance to say Scottish ministers shouldn’t deign to speak to English mayors.”

He added: “This seems unnecessary to me and it would have been nice if Nicola Sturgeon had contacted us beforehand to discuss it.

“Maybe the Scottish Government should try living by the same standards it frequently accuses the UK Government of lacking?”

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, the Greater Manchester mayor went on to accuse the SNP of “double standards” and “hypocrisy”.

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