FORMER MP George Galloway is planning to return to Scottish politics after he was involved in a social media row over potential Border restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Last week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon refused to rule out introducing quarantine rules for people arriving in Scotland from the rest of the UK if public health advisers deemed it necessary.

Her comments drew fierce criticism from Unionist parties, with Scottish Secretary Alister Jack accusing her of using “reckless” language and Boris Johnson bizarrely stating there was “no such thing” as the Scottish Border.

Dundee-born Galloway was also vocal in his opposition to quarantine measures for those entering Scotland from the rest of the UK.

READ MORE: WATCH: George Galloway threatens return to Scotland in cringeworthy clip

At the weekend, he decided he will move back to Scotland after seeing pictures and videos of a small group of protesters at the side of the A1 by the Border, wearing protective overalls and holding signs stating their plan to keep Scotland “Covid-free”.

One video showing a protester swearing at people to stay out of Scotland was shared widely online.

The former MP said he was outspoken on the protest on social media as he was concerned about the image of Scotland it could send to the rest of the world.

He told The Courier: “I had myself crossed the Border just the day before. I had my children in the car and I wouldn’t have liked them to have witnessed that.

“They would have been wondering why their father, Scottish born and bred, was being screamed at to get the f out of Scotland.

“Lo and behold, as soon as I highlighted it, I had hundreds of people saying that – and in even worse language – on Twitter and social media. That included threats which I’ve had to pass to the police.

“Much worse, it was my wife that opened one in a direct email – and my wife is nine months pregnant. She is due any day. She opened an email threatening us with physical violence. It’s just not acceptable.”

Galloway said the protest helped make his mind up in a counter-intuitive way – it convinced him to come back to Scotland.

He claimed “nationalist forces” had caused the Border issue “not for public health reasons but for party political reasons”.

While Galloway said a bid to gain a Scottish Parliament seat is not currently “fantastically of interest” due to his work commitments, but he would consider such a move “if necessary”.

The First Minister condemned the Border protest during her briefing this week, saying those involved “do not speak for me” and did not communicate a message she endorses “in any way”.

Galloway, who left Scotland during the Blair era, said earlier this year that he may return to Scotland while speaking on his Russia Today programme.

In the 2019 election he stood as an independent pro-Corbyn, pro-Brexit candidate in the West Bromwich East seat. He came sixth place with 489 votes.