Jackson Carlaw has been called out for opposing criminals' right to vote despite being in the same party as a former jailed man. 

Carlaw said "the SNP should be ashamed of themselves" for passing the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill.

He added: "If someone is convicted of a crime they should be punished and that includes losing the right to vote." 

READ MORE: Holyrood passes historic law allowing foreign nationals to vote

But SNP media chief Murray Foote reminded Carlaw that former Tory party deputy chairman Jeffrey Archer was jailed in 2001 and is now sitting in the House of Lords.

The bill will extend the electoral franchise in local and Scottish elections to prisoners sentenced to less than 12 months, giving them the right to vote.

It also allows the vote for refugees and those granted asylum (but not asylum seekers).

READ MORE: Jackie Baillie calls Scottish Government ‘arrogant’ and 'rotten'

It is seen as a sign of welcomeness from Scotland to all people who want to live here, with Constitution, Europe and External Affairs Secretary Michael Russell saying it was this "radical and progressive bill".

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has yet to respond to Murray's question to him regarding Archer.