Even before she’d opened her mouth Nicola Sturgeon was being accused of 'grandstanding' for producing a document that she said was designed to treat the public 'like adults' in discussing the options about the coronavirus emergency.

That she was doing so in advance of any such national conversation being attempted by a Cabinet in London, that’s still short of its boss, Boris Johnson, merely fuelled the flames.

But then those who know her well reckoned that’s the sort of politician Scotland’s First Minister is – a skilful and professional operator from her immaculately-coiffed head to her stiletto-heeled shoes. And, more importantly, she’s someone whose political antennae are always finely tuned.

Even her opponents accept that the longer this crisis continues the more Ms Sturgeon excels in the business of, well, governing and looking efficient while doing so. It would be over the top to say that she’s milking this epidemic for political purposes but from the outset she’s shown a firm determination to take charge and not be overawed by Downing Street.

And if it does enhance her chances of Scottish independence, well that would be a bonus. Today, she produced an innocuous-sounding document entitled: ‘Coronavirus. Framework for Decision Making’.