Sarah Everard vigil at Holyrood cancelled after Covid warnings

Sarah Everard has been described by her family as "kind, thoughtful, caring and dependable"

A vigil in Edinburgh prompted by the death of Sarah Everard has been cancelled following Covid-19 warnings.

Police Scotland urged people against attending the event outside the Scottish Parliament building on Saturday where 100 people were expected to gather.

Organisers said they would "build on events hosted online" instead.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said public gatherings risked further spread of the virus.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: "We are aware of a number of planned vigils following the tragic murder of Sarah Everard, but would urge people to please follow the coronavirus regulations.

"Under the current restrictions, people should stay at home and find an alternative way to show support and express their views, such as online. This helps keep people safe and reduces the transmission of the virus."

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The organiser of the Scottish Parliament vigil on Saturday evening, Chloe Whyte, said reaction to the death of Ms Everard had "shone a light on how many women have been made to feel unsafe" in public spaces.

Ms Whyte said: "Following the decision of the High Court in London and comments from the Scottish Cabinet Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman MSP, the organisers of the #ReclaimTheseStreets Edinburgh vigils have decided to build upon events currently being hosted online and cancel our in-person gatherings.

"This is a moment of reflection but also one of action."

Flowers have been laid at the site in Kent near where Ms Everard's body was found

Police have now confirmed that a body found in woodland in Kent on Wednesday has been identified as Ms Everard.

The 33-year-old marketing executive disappeared as she walked home in south London last week.

Organisers of a planned vigil in London lost a legal challenge after police said it would be "unlawful".

Lawyers representing the organisers Reclaim These Streets argued the decision was against human rights law but a High Court judge refused to intervene.

Earlier the Edinburgh event organiser Ms Whyte had told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime show that previous social media campaigns for significant moments like the #MeToo movement had "failed in the past".

She said: "We took to social media already, we took to social media during #MeToo, we used social media to campaign during Scottish male politicians who were accused of this same violence and what has it really achieved?

"My story is quite similar to the one of Sarah Everard and yet I'm considered lucky because I was a survivor when I was attacked. It's not right anymore, it's not safe for women on our streets."

'Not in normal times'

During Friday's coronavirus briefing, the health secretary urged people not to hold vigils at present as it risked spreading Covid-19 and created opportunities for the virus to mutate.

She said: "The rules are there for a reason, they're there to protect all of us from a virus that doesn't play by the rules. Right now we're dealing with a mutation from that virus that is significantly more infectious that the one we were dealing with a year ago.

"If we weren't in the situation we are in right now then any public vigil I would certainly join. But we are not in normal times.

"I am 67 years old. For 50 years as a woman I have lived a life that aims to protect and keep myself safe in a way that no man of my age ever has to do."

"What I'm saying to all of the women who are feeling angry, afraid or upset, I'm right there with you but please do not have a vigil."