This week, our resident cartoonist turned his pen on the Coronavirus outbreak, bullying claims surrounding the home secretary and Scotland making in to the world list of top beaches.

Monday, March 2

On Monday, there were calls for Home Secretary Priti Patel to face Parliament over the resignation of Home Office civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam amid bullying accusations.

The Herald:

READ MORE

Labour leadership candidate Sir Keir Starmer called on Ms Patel to explain the explosive allegations levelled against her by Sir Philip.

The Home Office’s permanent secretary quit on Saturday after accusing Ms Patel of orchestrating a “vicious” campaign against him, of lying about her involvement in it and of creating a climate of fear in her department.

Tuesday, March 3

The total number of positive tests for the Covid-19 strain of Coronavirus rose to six during the week.

The Herald:

READ MORE

The Scottish Government revealed outbreaks of the condition in the Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Grampian areas.

A statement said all three new cases were known contacts of previously recorded patients - including one in Ayrshire.

It brought the total number of cases across the UK to 90, with 80 declared in England, three in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.

Wednesday, March 4

Sturgeon has told Scotland to prepare for a “significant outbreak” of Coronavirus as she called on the public to help contain any spread.

The Herald:

READ MORE

The First Minister was speaking after taking part in an emergency COBRA meeting with Boris Johnson, stressing that “we would expect to see further cases confirmed in the days to come”.

Ms Sturgeon stressed that preparations were being made to be ready for the "reasonable worst case predictions".

She said: “We are planning for the likelihood of a significant outbreak of Coronavirus in the weeks to come.

Thursday, March 5

Priti Patel has said she "deeply cared" about the "wellbeing" of her civil servants in the wake of allegations of bullying made against her.

The Herald:

READ MORE

The Home Secretary has said she regrets the resignation of her former top civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam who said at the weekend he had been forced out of his job after a "vicious" campaign.

In an e-mail to Home Office staff, she thanked him for his service but said it was "now time for the Home Office to come together as one team".

Sir Philip Rutnam dramatically announced at the weekend that he was standing down as permanent secretary, claiming constructive dismissal and accusing Ms Patel of bullying her subordinates.

Friday, March 6

With its miles of gleaming white sands and turquoise waters, it is as close to a tropical paradise as a sunseeker could find in Scotland.

The Herald:

READ MORE

But with its freezing waters, Atlantic gales and occasional wandering pony, visiting Luskentyre Bay on Harris is unlikely to be a balmy holiday experience.

However, the beach has now been named as one of the top 25 in the world by august tourist website Tripadvisor, beating out spectacular hotspots from around the globe.

The far-flung, sandy outpost - which is reached by a single track road - was rated higher than sun-soaked destinations in Spain, the Caribbean, and the golden shores of Florida to take 13th spot in the prestigious 2020's Travellers' Choice Awards.