Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

sketch

No wonder tearful Nicola Sturgeon was dressed for a funeral – her reputation was being buried

While she gave evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry in Edinburgh, Scotland’s formidable former leader finally cracked – not while mulling the death toll she oversaw, but when pondering her own place in history, observes Joe Murphy

Wednesday 31 January 2024 19:28 GMT
Comments
‘The former first minister’s eyes brimmed not while mulling the Covid death toll she oversaw, but when pondering her own place in history’
‘The former first minister’s eyes brimmed not while mulling the Covid death toll she oversaw, but when pondering her own place in history’ (Covid-19 Inquiry/YouTube)

In the end, her tears came bitterly. Not the crocodile emotions of the skilled public weeper, but those of a broken little armadillo.

“I wanted to be the best first minister I could be during that period,” said Nicola Sturgeon, voice wobbling. Her eyes brimmed, and a child’s voice carried on. “It’s for others to judge the extent to which I succeeded.”

It was perhaps telling that the moment Scotland’s formidable former leader finally cracked was not while mulling the Covid death toll she oversaw, but when pondering her own place in history.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in