Ruth Davidson says she has read the first minister's statement and her argument that she had a "busy day" after an earlier session of first minister's questions and that the meeting with Alex Salmond's aide had "slipped her mind".

Ms Davidson adds: "This does not even bear the lightest scrutiny. It is beyond belief."

She adds that the meeting referred to the complaints, the investigation, the process of it, and the fact it was a civil servant investigation.

Ms Davidson asks again if it sounds like something the first minister would not remember.

Ms Sturgeon replies: "I do remember the complaints of sexual misconduct.

"The point I am making and have made before and will make again is that the detail of that was actually given to me three or four days later by Alex Salmond himself in my house,

"I sat in the dining room of my own home while he showed me what he was accused of.

"I was pretty shocked and upset at the time."

Nicola Sturgeon has said she "forgot" about a meeting in which she believes she was told about harassment complaints against Alex Salmond.

The first minister's written evidence to the inquiry into her government's botched handling of complaints against her predecessor has been published, external.

Ms Sturgeon insisted that she "tried to do the right thing" and "did not seek to influence" the investigation.

Opposition MSPs said she had confirmed that she had "misled parliament".

Read more here.

Scottish Conservative group leader Ruth Davidson begins her questioning on the government's botched inquiry into claims of harassment against the former first minister Alex Salmond.

She asks the first minister if it is credible to forget a meeting at which she learned for the first time about allegations of sexual misconduct against her predecessor and "mentor of two decades"?

On Wednesday it emerged Nicola Sturgeon said she "forgot" about a meeting in which she believes she was told about harassment complaints against Alex Salmond.

Ms Sturgeon replies "I get why people will look at that and raise an eyebrow" but added that she wanted to explain the circumstances.

She adds that one MSP suggested such an encounter would be "seared on her memory".

But Ms Sturgeon says: "There is something seared on my memory and it is the meeting which took place some three days later when Alex Salmond himself sat in my own home and gave me the details of the complaints that had been made against him and also gave me his response to aspects of those complaints.

"That is what is seared in my memory."

The latest estimate of the R number is above one - possibly as high as 1.6.

The first minister explains that is why the government announced significant new measures to get the virus back under control.

She says recognises how hard these restrictions are, particularly for hospitality businesses, which is why financial support is being made available.

The first minister asks everyone to stick with the new rules and follow FACTS:

Image source, Scottish government

A further five people who tested positive have died, taking the overall total to 2,538 deaths in Scotland by that measure.

377 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up 58). That's more than double the figure Ms Sturgeon reported before FMQs last week.

31 people are being treated in intensive care (up three).

Nicola Sturgeon confirms another 1,027 people have tested positive for Covid-19, 13.5% of those newly tested yesterday.

This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 35,787.

Health board breakdown:

Ms Sturgeon says the provisional data indicates the breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde: 405
• NHS Lanarkshire: 230
• NHS Lothian: 152
• NHS Ayrshire and Arran: 73

The remaining are spread across the other health boards.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Before FMQs gets under way Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic.

Opposition party leaders will then get the chance to quiz the first minster, with the impact of the new Covid-19 restrictions likely to feature prominently today.

Later at Holyrood MSPs will debate the restrictions after a ministerial statement on mental health. You can watch both with us here on the live page.

Here are the headlines from around Scotland:

• Tougher restrictions aimed at tackling Scotland's surge in coronavirus cases come into force tomorrow at 6pm
• All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland are to be closed for 16 days
• The new restrictions will "sound the death knell" for some of Scotland's hospitality business, industry leaders have warned

• Shoppers are being urged to respect staff and other customers as shops prepare to reintroduce the 2 metre physical distancing rule from this weekend

Image source, PA Media

• More than 80% of adults in Scotland have told a survey that they have experienced stress because of the pandemic. The Scottish government will give a statement on mental health at 2.55pm

• Changes to the flu vaccination system have prompted a wave of complaints, with many eligible patients saying they can't get an appointment

• National 5 exams are to be cancelled in Scotland in 2021 and replaced with teacher assessments and coursework

• Scotland recorded more than 1,000 cases of Covid-19 in the preceding 24 hours

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Image source, Jane Barlow/PA Wire

12:20-1.30pm: First Minister's Questions

2:30-2.55pm:Portfolio Questions: Justice and the Law Officers

2.55-3.25pm: Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Response to the Mental Health Challenge of Covid-19

3.25-5.25pm: Scottish Government Debate: Debate on First Minister's Statement: COVID-19

5.30pm Decision Time

Image source, PA

Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live page coverage of first minister's questions.

Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the coronavirus pandemic when she gets to her feet at Holyrood from 12.20pm.

Opposition party leaders will then get the chance to quiz the first minster, with the impact of the new Covid-19 restrictions likely to feature prominently today.

Later at Holyrood MSPs will debate the restrictions after a ministerial statement on mental health. You can watch both with us here on the live page.