Nicola Sturgeon fury at Aberdeen Football Club over covid rules breach revealed in text message

Nicola Sturgeon reacted with fury after players from a Scottish Premiership football club were pictured breaking social distancing rules, the UK Covid Inquiry has heard.

The then first minister accused Aberdeen of a "complacent abomination" in a text message to Jason Leitch, the national clinical director, in August 2020.

It was sent after the Pittodrie side issued a statement that month confirming its match against St Johnstone would be postponed following a covid outbreak among its first team squad.

The timing was significant as the game was due to take place on the second round of fixtures after professional football resumed in Scotland following the first coronavirus lockdown.

Players and match officials were subject to strict social distancing rules before games to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

But eight Aberdeen squad members were pictured socialising in a bar on August 1 - just hours after the Dons lost 1-0 to Rangers at home.

Two players subsequently tested positive for covid and a further six were required to self-isolate for 14 days after coming into close contact with them.

The episode - and the Scottish Government reaction to it - were discussed at the UK Covid Inquiry in Edinburgh today.

In addition to the message from Sturgeon, Leitch was shown a text he sent to Joe FitzPatrick, the then minister for public health and sport, in which he called for Aberdeen to be docked points.

The national clinical director said in the message: "I realise it's late, but I think postponing rewards bad behaviour, cancelling and fofeiting points seems more appropriate."

FitzPatrick responds: "Postpone and eight players banned from the game?"

Leith replied: "Yep that works".

Jamie Dawson KC, consul to the inquiry, asked Leitch if the