Nicolas Sturgeon was reported to police after footage showed she was apparently violating the Covid Scotland Face Masks Act during the council’s election campaign.
A video posted on social media appears to show Scotland’s first minister not wearing a mask during a visit to a barber shop in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday.
There is currently a legal requirement to wear facial coverage in most indoor public places in Scotland, including shops, public transport and hairdressing salons.
In the video, Ms. Sturgeon appears to be uncovered as she mixes with clients and pats a man’s head in a barber chair, mimicking the sound of an electric razor.
The first minister wears a tartan face mask in a different video from her visit to Iconic Gents Hair, posted on her official Twitter account, which shows her shaving a man’s beard.
A spokesman for the Scottish Police said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint, which is currently being considered.”
The legal requirement to wear a face mask indoors in Scotland comes into force on Monday, but the Scottish Government has strongly recommended that people continue to wear them when appropriate.
A SNP spokesman said: “The first minister was invited to the barber shop during an outdoor visit to the street.
“Within seconds, she realized she hadn’t put her mask back on, and she put it on right away.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives in Health, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, MSP, said: “The video clearly shows that Nicola Sturgeon does not practice what he preaches on face masks.
“She is happy to signal official photos, but behind closed doors it is clear that she does not believe in her own rules, so why need someone else.
“This is outright hypocrisy by the first minister, who has now shown her true color.
“The public, which has been under these legal restrictions from Covid for more than two years, deserves an apology for this breach of the rules.
A spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: “All politicians must set a good example. Nicola Sturgeon seems to have lost track of what her own rules are.
In December 2020, Ms. Sturgeon apologized for violating Covid’s rules by removing her face mask at a funeral.
She described it as a “stupid mistake” and said, “I’m really sorry.”
The Scottish government said Saturday’s incident was a problem for the party.
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