Covid in Scotland: Douglas Ross isolating after David Duguid tests positive

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives is isolating after Scotland Office minister David Duguid tested positive for Covid.

Douglas Ross carried out a number of engagements with Mr Duguid in Peterhead on Monday.

It is understood Mr Duguid, the MP for Banff and Buchan, was tested on Tuesday afternoon and received a positive result on Wednesday morning.

Mr Ross was told on Wednesday morning a "close contact" had tested positive.

He was informed by text message while in the Scottish Parliament building that a person he had seen on Monday had caught the virus.

The party leader, who is MP for Moray and a Highland MSP, is now self-isolating in an Edinburgh hotel.

He will get a test as soon as possible, the Scottish Conservatives said.

Mr Ross will take part in FMQs on Thursday virtually.

Four other Tory MSPs are also taking tests as a precaution, while two MSPs from another party have been advised they should do likewise.

It is understood that Mr Duguid took a precautionary test after some work-related travel and a number of recent cases at his children's school.

He is said to be asymptomatic and feeling well.

A spokesperson for the UK government said: "Minister Duguid is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.

"He took a test as a precaution at a local UK government test centre. He has notified those he was in close contact with."

Mr Duguid and Mr Ross shared pictures of their engagements in Peterhead on Monday on social media.

They said they met with representatives of the Fishermen's Mission and Peterhead Port Authority, and had lunch in a local cafe.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also went into self-isolation last month after a member of his household tested positive for the virus.