Nicola Sturgeon leaves SFA 'bemused' as First Minister signals red light on Euro 2020 fan return road - Daily Record

Scottish football chiefs were left in a state of ‘bemusement’ on Tuesday night after Nicola Sturgeon appeared to plunge a red light into the roadmap that could allow the Tartan Army back into Hampden this summer.

Hopes were raised on Monday that the national stadium could be packed to the rafters on June 22 when Steve Clarke ’s team take on Croatia, hoping to make history on home soil by becoming the first ever Scotland side to reach the knockout stages of a major tournament.

Clarke has since called for fans to be let into the Euros to cheer on his side.

But while plans are now being drawn up down south for Wembley to be opened up to tens of thousands of England fans for matches in the same group - including an Auld Enemy showdown on June 18 - the First Minister yesterday stopped miles short of endorsing Boris Johnson ’s proposed timetable for lifting the coronavirus lockdown.

And fears were growing last night Hampden’s turnstiles could remain padlocked under order of the Holyrood government while as many as 90,000 English supporters might be roaring Gareth Southgate’s side on in their final Group D clash against the Czech Republic.

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Scotland boss Clarke said: “I’m really, really hopeful we will get some kind of crowd for the games in the summer.

“If that happens the mentality of the players might change a bit, hopefully for the better.

“I will go there to try to enjoy it, but I know what I am like. I will only enjoy it if we are successful and that’s the bottom line.

“The two games at Hampden will be great. If we can get crowds in, it will be even better than great.

“The trip to Wembley will be a great occasion, but it will only be good for us if we can come away with something from it.”

Football’s Joint Response Group released a statement on Tuesday in which it called for urgent clarity to be given on the implications for the national sport ‘at all levels’.

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As Record Sport exclusively revealed, not only have concerns been expressed about the apparent reluctance to allow fans back in time for the Euros, but fears are also growing that Scotland’s ‘go-slow’ approach to relaxing restrictions could cause further chaos across League One and League Two as well as torpedo this season’s Scottish Cup.

The statement read: “The Joint Response Group notes the First Minister’s road map out of lockdown outlined at Holyrood today.

“We await further clarification from ministers in the coming days on the implications for Scottish football at all levels, including leagues and clubs currently under the Scottish FA suspension and the wider grassroots game.

“We will provide a more detailed update when ministers outline the road map for affected areas of Scottish football.

“The JRG is committed to working with government to ensure the national game is primed to return within the ‘progressive easing’ time-line announced today.”

(Image: SNS Group)

It’s understood the game’s governors are reluctant to be seen to publicly question the Scottish government’s approach as they attempt to thrash out a compromise behind the scenes.

But one senior Hampden source told Record Sport : “There is a feeling of complete bemusement as to why the roadmap looks so different on one side of the border and a genuine concern for the impact such an obvious divergence could have on football in this country at all levels.

“While the game needs to work with the government to find a solution there is also an urgent need for Scottish football to be given answers.”

The FM unveiled ‘Scotland’s new strategic framework’ to parliament in Edinburgh yesterday.

But, while England now hopes to be clear of all restrictions by June 21, Sturgeon’s plan looks no further ahead than a potential return to a tiered system by the end of April.

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In a 94 page document released by the Government following yesterday’s announcement there was at least an apparent, if fleeting acknowledgement of the significance of this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.

It read: “We will continue to engage with partners and key stakeholders on the way forward, taking into account key milestones and activities such as May’s Scottish election, summer sporting events, students returning in September and the COP26 climate summit.”

But our source added: “With the successful roll out of the vaccine across the UK it’s getting harder and harder to fathom why the recovery of football and Scottish sport in general should be out of kilter with what is being proposed in other parts of the country."

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2021-02-23 22:29:00Z
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Covid-19: PM promises review on issues of vaccine passports - BBC News

There are "deep and complex issues" with using vaccine passports or certificates to prove someone's Covid "status", Boris Johnson has said.

Announcing a review of the proposal, he said using certificates to allow visits to venues such as pubs and theatres was a "novelty for our country".

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove will lead the review.

Mr Johnson said he was "very optimistic" most Covid restrictions in England can be lifted on 21 June.

Vaccine passports have been discussed by countries, including Greece, and operators such as Saga Cruises, as a way to safely reopen international leisure travel.

But ministers have frequently appeared to dismiss introducing a similar scheme domestically within the UK for hospitality or leisure activities.

It comes as Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said - if all goes to plan - she expects to see a phased but significant re-opening of the Scottish economy in the last week of April.

A further 8,489 coronavirus cases were recorded across the UK on Tuesday and 548 more people have died within 28 days of a positive test - taking the total by that measure to 121,305.

More than 17.9 million people across the UK have now received at least one vaccine dose, according to latest government figures.

• What are vaccine passports?
• Will I need to be vaccinated to get a job?
• What's the roadmap for lifting England's lockdown?

Speaking during a visit to a south London school, Mr Johnson said the UK had "never thought in terms of having something that you have to show to go to a pub or a theatre".

He said there were "ethical issues" about the role of government "in mandating… or banning people from doing such a thing".

He added: "We can't be discriminatory against people who can't have the vaccine, there might be a medical reason, or some people may genuinely refuse to have one - I think that's a mistake."

But the prime minister said it was possible to consider the issue at the same time as the rollout of the vaccine.

It is understood the review will not just consider vaccination history alone, with the possibility of negative Covid tests being recorded to gain access to some events or services, if required by the organisers.

One option could see the NHS app used to record both, with an individual then able to show their status on the app if required.

The government previously said it would consider how to facilitate Covid certificates for people who needed to travel to other countries which demanded them.

The review's findings are hoped to be available before the final stage of England's lockdown easing on 21 June, the earliest date by which ministers hope most Covid measures can end.

BBC political correspondent Jessica Parker said the review marked a change of position from ministers but that, with businesses already looking at ways they could keep workers and customers safe, the government was looking to get ahead of things.

"The conversation was just happening anyway. Businesses were looking at ways to make their workplaces safe, organisations were looking at ways to try to make their customers safe and the government risked not being part of that conversation but eventually being brought into it anyway," she said.

Global framework

A No 10 spokesman said an international consensus needed to be built on how to allow greater foreign travel, which the UK was seeking to achieve via the G7 and other multilateral discussions.

"It will be for different countries to determine their own regimes in relation to the quarantine and who they want to allow in, and we want to try and work together to get some sort of international framework," he said.

Greek tourism minister Haris Theoharis told the BBC last week that early technical discussions were under way with UK officials about how a potential passport scheme might work.

Saga Cruises announced last month it would require all travellers to prove they had received two vaccine doses before departure.

"You will be required to bring the vaccination document and/or evidence with you as proof at the time of boarding," its website said.

Holidays in the UK or abroad are not currently permitted under coronavirus restrictions.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said a review of how to return to international travel while managing risk from imported cases and virus variants would report on 12 April.

Meanwhile, holiday firms and airlines have reported a surge in bookings since plans for easing lockdown in England were unveiled on Monday.

Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told the BBC a review of vaccine passports was "sensible" but said it should be "conclusive" and consider all the evidence available.

Christopher Dye, professor of epidemiology at Oxford University, told the BBC that vaccine passports would "certainly be helpful in releasing the lockdown" but they should not "make things worse for people of lesser means".

Mr Johnson said his roadmap for easing lockdown measures, laid out on Monday, was "a cautious but irreversible approach".

Due to the vaccine programme, the country could "look at that 21 June date with some optimism".

Mr Johnson said each phase of unlocking restrictions - such as children going back to school - would be "adding to the budget of risk".

This is why time was needed between measures to "observe" the impact, he added.

Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he wanted measures to become a "matter of personal responsibility and social norms" that could see people choosing to wear masks on public transport.

• LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?
• YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries
• THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters
• TEST AND TRACE: How does it work?

The devolved nations have the power to set their own restrictions.

Outlining her own roadmap, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped to end stay at home restrictions from 5 April in Scotland.

Meanwhile in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he hopes the country's "stay-at-home" requirement could end within three weeks, with some non-essential shops and hairdressers possibly reopening at the same time.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster wants its executive to discuss the reopening date for schools following Mr Johnson's announcement in England.

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2021-02-23 20:43:38Z
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Alex Salmond will not appear before MSPs on Wednesday - BBC News

Reuters

Alex Salmond will not give evidence on Wednesday to the inquiry into how the Scottish government handled complaints against him.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said the former first minister had told the committee he would not be attending.

The move came after the parliament published a revised version of one of Mr Salmond's submissions to the inquiry.

The Crown Office had raised "grave concerns" about its publication.

Mr Salmond's lawyers had earlier said that the parliament's decision to withdraw and then republish a revised version of his submission was a "significant surprise and concern" which could have "a material bearing on whether he is able to attend" the evidence session on Wednesday.

The committee said it would now meet in private on Wednesday "to discuss the implications of Mr Salmond's response and the next steps for its work".

Mr Salmond's submission included claims that there had been a "complete breakdown of the necessary barriers which should exist between government, political party and the prosecution authorities".

• Salmond alleges 'malicious' attempt to damage him
• Sturgeon challenges Salmond over 'conspiracy' claims
• What is the Salmond and Sturgeon row all about?

The former first minister alleged that there was "a deliberate, prolonged, malicious and concerted effort amongst a range of individuals within the Scottish government and the SNP to damage my reputation, even to the extent of having me imprisoned".

The people named by Mr Salmond in his submissions include Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell, who is the chief executive of the SNP, and Ms Sturgeon's chief of staff, Liz Lloyd.

Mr Salmond has also accused Ms Sturgeon, who succeeded him as first minister and SNP leader, of misleading parliament and breaching the ministerial code.

Ms Sturgeon has denied the allegations and told BBC Scotland that there was "not a shred of evidence" to back up his claims of a conspiracy.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts.

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2021-02-23 19:20:43Z
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Covid-19: PM promises review on issues of vaccine passports - BBC News

There are "deep and complex issues" with using vaccine passports or certificates to prove someone's Covid "status", Boris Johnson has said.

Announcing a review of the proposal, he said using certificates to allow visits to venues such as pubs and theatres was a "novelty for our country".

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove will lead the review.

Mr Johnson said he was "very optimistic" most Covid restrictions in England can be lifted on 21 June.

Vaccine passports have been discussed by countries, including Greece, and operators such as Saga Cruises, as a way to safely reopen international leisure travel.

But ministers have frequently appeared to dismiss introducing a similar scheme domestically within the UK for hospitality or leisure activities.

It comes as Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said - if all goes to plan - she expects to see a phased but significant re-opening of the Scottish economy in the last week of April.

A further 8,489 coronavirus cases were recorded across the UK on Tuesday and 548 more people have died within 28 days of a positive test - taking the total by that measure to 121,305.

More than 17.9 million people across the UK have now received at least one vaccine dose, according to latest government figures.

• What are vaccine passports?
• Will I need to be vaccinated to get a job?
• What's the roadmap for lifting England's lockdown?

Speaking during a visit to a south London school, Mr Johnson said the UK had "never thought in terms of having something that you have to show to go to a pub or a theatre".

He said there were "ethical issues" about the role of government "in mandating… or banning people from doing such a thing".

He added: "We can't be discriminatory against people who can't have the vaccine, there might be a medical reason, or some people may genuinely refuse to have one - I think that's a mistake."

But the prime minister said it was possible to consider the issue at the same time as the rollout of the vaccine.

It is understood the review will not just consider vaccination history alone, with the possibility of negative Covid tests being recorded to gain access to some events or services, if required by the organisers.

One option could see the NHS app used to record both, with an individual then able to show their status on the app if required.

The government previously said it would consider how to facilitate Covid certificates for people who needed to travel to other countries which demanded them.

The review's findings are hoped to be available before the final stage of England's lockdown easing on 21 June, the earliest date by which ministers hope most Covid measures can end.

Global framework

A No 10 spokesman said an international consensus needed to be built on how to allow greater foreign travel, which the UK was seeking to achieve via the G7 and other multilateral discussions.

"It will be for different countries to determine their own regimes in relation to the quarantine and who they want to allow in, and we want to try and work together to get some sort of international framework," he said.

Greek tourism minister Haris Theoharis told the BBC last week that early technical discussions were under way with UK officials about how a potential passport scheme might work.

Saga Cruises announced last month it would require all travellers to prove they had received two vaccine doses before departure.

"You will be required to bring the vaccination document and/or evidence with you as proof at the time of boarding," its website said.

Holidays in the UK or abroad are not currently permitted under coronavirus restrictions.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said a review of how to return to international travel while managing risk from imported cases and virus variants would report on 12 April.

Meanwhile, holiday firms and airlines have reported a surge in bookings since plans for easing lockdown in England were unveiled on Monday.

Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told the BBC a review of vaccine passports was "sensible" but said it should be "conclusive" and consider all the evidence available.

Christopher Dye, professor of epidemiology at Oxford University, told the BBC that vaccine passports would "certainly be helpful in releasing the lockdown" but they should not "make things worse for people of lesser means".

Mr Johnson said his roadmap for easing lockdown measures, laid out on Monday, was "a cautious but irreversible approach".

Due to the vaccine programme, the country could "look at that 21 June date with some optimism".

He said while "some people will say that we're going to be going too fast, some people will say we're going too slow", but he thought the balance of the reopening was right.

Mr Johnson said each phase of unlocking restrictions - such as children going back to school - would be "adding to the budget of risk".

This is why time was needed between measures to "observe" the impact, he added.

Earlier, Mr Hancock said he wanted measures to become a "matter of personal responsibility and social norms" that could see people choosing to wear masks on public transport.

Prof Sir John Bell, regius chair of medicine at Oxford University, told BBC Radio 4's World at One he thought, and hoped, the country would get back to the stage where people did not wear masks, with Covid "operating in the background" like flu.

• LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?
• YOUR QUESTIONS: We answer your queries
• THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters
• TEST AND TRACE: How does it work?

The devolved nations have the power to set their own restrictions.

Outlining her own roadmap, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped to end stay at home restrictions from 5 April in Scotland.

Meanwhile in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he hopes the country's "stay-at-home" requirement could end within three weeks, with some non-essential shops and hairdressers possibly reopening at the same time.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster wants its executive to discuss the reopening date for schools following Mr Johnson's announcement in England.

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• 'I WANT PEOPLE TO TALK': West Ham Women captain opens up on mental health

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2021-02-23 18:10:10Z
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Covid in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon unveils 'cautious' route out of lockdown - BBC News

The reopening of Scotland's economy - including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms and hairdressers - is expected to start from 26 April, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

She said it was hoped that the country's stay at home restrictions could be lifted on 5 April.

Four people from two households will be allowed to meet outdoors from 15 March.

All primary pupils and more senior secondary students could return to school from that date.

However, pupils in the first three years of secondary school are unlikely to return until after the Easter holidays.

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government's strategic framework was "deliberately cautious" at this stage.

• What Covid rules are changing, and when?
• Live coverage of the first minister's statement
• Douglas Fraser: A route map to the starting point

"But in the coming weeks, if the data allows and positive trends continue, we will seek to accelerate the easing of restrictions," she said.

However, opposition parties said the statement "fell short" of expectations and lacked clarity on its "ultimate goal", while business leaders called for more detail.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality in England could reopen on 12 April.

Under a four-step plan to ease lockdown south of the border, all legal limits on social contact could be lifted by 21 June if strict conditions are met.

Ms Sturgeon said the aim in Scotland was to move fully back to a levels system of restrictions from the last week in April.

"At that stage, we hope that all parts of the country currently in level four will be able to move out of level four and back initially to level three - possibly with some revision to the content of the levels."

The first minister said that from 26 April, the government would expect to see a "phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including non essential retail, hospitality and services like gyms and hairdressers".

More detail will be set out in mid-March, including the order in which parts of the economy will reopen.

The aim is for a "progressive easing" of the level four restrictions at three-week intervals.

Scotland's youngest children and some senior pupils returned to the classroom on Monday, and Ms Sturgeon said schools were the "immediate priority".

It is hoped that the next phase will see the remaining primary school pupils return from 15 March, with more senior pupils back in the classroom "for at least part of their learning".

The rules on outdoor mixing would also be relaxed on that date, with up to four people from two households allowed to meet, and non-contact sports for under-18s resuming.

PA Media

The final phase of the return to school would take place from 5 April, a date when school pupils will be at the start or middle of their Easter holiday break.

It is also hoped to lift the stay at home restrictions from that date. At least six people from two households should be able to meet together outdoors, and communal worship will be allowed to resume.

The timing of major religious festivals - such as Easter - will be taken into account when deciding the exact date.

The levels system of restrictions would then be reintroduced from 26 April, along with a "more substantial" reopening of society and the economy.

"It is important to stress, of course, that all of this depends on us continuing to suppress the virus now - and continuing to accept some trade-offs for a period, for example on international travel," said Ms Sturgeon.

"However, if we do so, I am optimistic that we can make good progress in returning more normality to our lives and the economy."

Will the first minister go faster?

PA Media

Analysis by Lucy Whyte, BBC Scotland education correspondent

Scotland may have been among the first of the four nations to get any pupils in class, but it looks like it could be one of the last to have all pupils back to in-person learning.

This plan could see more children, especially primary pupils, allowed back in the classroom by 15 March, a week after England.

But the full return of Scotland's schools might not happen until a month later.

The decision to stick with a phased approach will be welcomed by teaching unions, who will also be glad to see the inclusion of blended learning initially for senior pupils.

The 5 April date for the potential full return to class is at the start of the Easter holidays for most, so really we are talking about the middle of that month before everyone is back.

Will the first minister go faster? She has made clear that she will if she can, and there is a precedent when she accelerated the full return to school in August last year.

On that occasion she could demonstrate that numbers were on her side.

The Scottish Conservatives' Holyrood leader, Ruth Davidson, said the statement "fell short of public expectations".

"We didn't get information about when measures like social distancing will end and when we will be able to do something as basic as give a loved one a hug," she said.

"Everyone understands that we might not be able to give people absolute certainty - but they were at least expecting the first minister to give them some kind of hope.

"Nothing has been published about what happens after 26 April. This isn't a route map out of Covid, it is holding document."

Getty Images

Scottish Labour's interim leader, Jackie Baillie, said the statement lacked clarity on its "ultimate goal".

She also called for a revised testing strategy which includes mass community testing where appropriate.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie voiced concern that vaccine passports were "slowly gaining traction" and said: "We don't want a two tier society which would exacerbate inequalities."

Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie also raised fears that vaccine passports could make social inequality worse.

Reuters

Tracy Black, director of CBI Scotland, said many Scottish businesses would be "left feeling deflated" as there was still "considerable uncertainty" about how and when they could reopen their doors.

She said businesses recognised it was right to take a cautious approach, but "will have been looking for more detail than the partial timetable that has been provided".

Liz Cameron, the chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "It is important that Scotland remains as closely in step with the four nations as is possible.

"A competitive disadvantage to business communities elsewhere in the UK will only add insult to the injury already caused by the pandemic."

Do you have a question about the Covid restrictions in place in Scotland? Use the form below to send us your questions and we could be in touch.

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• RULES: What are the restrictions in your area?
• LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives
• CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland?
• VACCINE: When will Scots be vaccinated against Covid?
• WHO? The people who have died with Covid-19

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2021-02-23 17:00:47Z
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