LABOUR MSP Neil Findlay was removed from the Holyrood chamber after calling Health Secretary Jeane Freeman a "liar".

It came during a statement in the Scottish Parliament in which Freeman said she hopes to bring a US mesh expert to Scotland by autumn to remove the medical devices from women who have suffered devastating side-effects.

Dr Dionysios K Veronikis, an obstetrician and gynaecologist based in Missouri, has offered to come to Scotland and perform operations on the women affected.

The devices were banned across the UK last year due to safety concerns, with hundreds of Scottish women suffering chronic pain from the implants.

In a statement at Holyrood, Freeman said she could "see no prospect" of the ban being lifted but in heated exchanges was called a "liar" by Labour's Neil Findlay, who was later removed from the chamber for refusing to withdraw his comment.

Freeman said: "I have asked that we look to bring Dr Veronikis to Scotland as soon as possible.

"The intention will be for him to work with the clinical service in a complementary fashion to provide treatment, expert advice and training.

"I want this to be a valued partnership that benefits patients now and over the long-term."

Freeman said regulation in this area is reserved and she received a positive response from the General Medical Council but has not yet heard back from UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

She added: "With appropriate agreement and sponsorship by the service, I hope Dr Veronikis can visit by the autumn."

Freeman added: "To be as clear as possible, I can see no prospect of the halt I instigated being lifted - and have not asked for any planning to lift the halt."

Findlay quoted minutes from the accountable officers' group from February stating: "With the publication of key guidance later in the year it will be helpful to look at how the reintroduction of the surgical service will work in practice" and later that "primary mesh operations could be undertaken in individual boards".

He said: "The Cabinet Secretary has either lied to the women in Scotland, lied to this Parliament or she hasn't a clue what the Chief Medical Officer is doing on her behalf, which one is it?"

Green MSP Alison Johnstone also questioned why a reintroduction of mesh operations is "even being considered".

Labour's Monica Lennon said the timeline for Dr Veronikis' arrival is a "little disappointing".

"Autumn is no use for women like Claire Daisley from Greenock, who is set to lose her bowel and her bladder from next month.

"Claire's body is swelling up because of her mesh injuries and she is basically trapped in her own home.

"Can the Health Secretary tell Claire Daisley and other women in her position if they will have surgery from Dr Veronikis before it's too late and will the Scottish Government fund Claire to have her surgery in America where Dr Veronikis is based if that's what it takes?"

Freeman criticised the "parsimonious" nature of Lennon's question and said she would not discuss individual cases.

She added the Chief Medical Officer has spoken to Daisley and the question of whether anyone is suitable for mesh removal is a clinical decision.

Conservative Jackson Carlaw praised Freeman's actions for mesh survivors and pledged his help with the UK Government where needed.