Image: Scottish Government [CC BY-NC 2.0], via Flickr
Catherine Calderwood visited her second home twice, defying official guidelines to stay at home
The chief medical officer for Scotland, Catherine Calderwood, resigned on 5 April after it emerged that she had not been following official guidance on not travelling away from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am deeply sorry for my actions and the mistakes I have made,” said Calderwood, who failed to properly follow the guidelines by visiting her second home on two consecutive weekends. Her initial apology came after pictures of one of the visits were published by a national newspaper on 5 April.
Later the same day, Calderwood said: “The first minister [Nicola Sturgeon] and I have had a further conversation this evening and we have agreed that the justifiable focus on my behaviour risks becoming a distraction from the hugely important job that government and the medical profession has to do in getting the country through this coronavirus pandemic. Having worked so hard on the government’s response, that is the last thing I want.
“The most important thing to me now and over the next few very difficult months is that people across Scotland know what they need to do to reduce the spread of this virus and that means they must have complete trust in those who give them advice. It is with a heavy heart that I resign as chief medical officer. I will work with my team over the next few days to ensure a smooth transition to my successor.”
Sturgeon said: “Dr Calderwood’s advice to me, to the government and to people across Scotland over the past few weeks has been the right advice. People should continue to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives.
“It is however clear that the mistake she made—even though she has apologised sincerely and honourably for it—risks distracting from and undermining confidence in the government’s public health message at this crucial time. That is not a risk either of us is willing to take.”
Sturgeon added: “Her advice to me on coronavirus will be missed—which is why she will work to ensure a smooth transition in the days ahead.”