The effective collapse of NHS Tayside, one of the country’s major health boards, is more than an embarrassment for the Scottish Government. It is a massive humiliation, and above all for Shona Robison, the health minister.

In other circumstances it would be bad enough if a senior minister, who’s ultimately answerable to parliament and public for the proper running of perhaps the major part of the government’s responsibilities, didn’t appear to have a proper grip on things.

But when, as in Ms Robison’s case, it occurs in a body whose headquarters are actually in the city she’s represented and lived in for more than 15 years, it is almost unbelievable.

Ms Robison finally acted on Thursday night...