First Minister says emergency legislation will be strictly limited

Nicola Sturgeon said she is 'not deaf and blind' to concerns around emergency legislation due to come before the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.

During her latest daily briefing Ms Sturgeon said she did not want to be announcing measures that include the possibility of early release for some prisoners and an increase in trials without juries.

Mike Russell, secretary for constitutional affairs, sad the legislation had been drawn up in consultation with opposition parties and included a number of measures designed to prevent it being abused.

Every two months the government will have to say how measures in place have been used.

The legislation will also have to be formally re-approved every six months if it is to continue on the statute book.

"I do not underestimate the damage to the economy or the difficulty individuals face in this situation, but in time these can be repaired," Ms Sturgeon said.

"What we can't do is bring people back to life. That is why the measures must be followed."

The legislation which MSPs will debate tomorrow also includes measures to prevent householders in the private rented sector from being evicted during the coronavirus pandemic.

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