AN SNP MP has chastised Boris Johnson for travelling to his constituency for a “photo opportunity” in the middle of a pandemic.
Glasgow South representative Stewart McDonald warned the Prime Minister's actions undermine critical public health rules.
Despite both his own and the Scottish Government enforcing rules stating all non-essential travel should be avoided, Johnson flew from London to Glasgow for a one-day visit to Scotland.
The Tory leader toured the Lighthouse Laboratory at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus in Glasgow, where coronavirus tests are processed. He then met troops setting up a vaccination centre in the Castlemilk area of the city, bumping elbows to greet some of the soldiers.
READ MORE: Police receive complaints about Boris Johnson's trip to Scotland
The Prime Minister also visited the Valneva laboratory in Livingston, West Lothian, where experts are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The logic of the trip has been questioned by Nicola Sturgeon and prompted complaints to Police Scotland.
McDonald condemned the Prime Minister after he made a stop at Castlemilk in his constituency.
In a letter to Johnson, the SNP shadow defence spokesperson acknowledged the PM’s desire to thank the armed forces, something which he says is shared across the political spectrum.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Castlemilk - a community his party has hit hard - was wrong. It’s right to thank the armed forces who have helped in the fight against COVID, but the best way to do it is to pay them properly, improve their conditions & better support their families. pic.twitter.com/FDdvWkCzx6
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) January 28, 2021
He added: “However, at a time when your own Government’s advice is to adhere to essential travel only, it flies in the face of logic and common sense for you to travel from London to Glasgow for what can only be described as a photo opportunity.
“The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, has made very clear that your trip is not deemed to be essential, and as such should not be happening.
“How can we, as elected politicians, expect the general public to adhere to every necessary restriction in place for public health reasons, if the Prime Minister fails to heed his own advice for essential travel only?
“There are many ways to show your appreciation for the work of our armed forces, more appropriate to the situation we find ourselves in during a global health pandemic. Today’s visit is not one of them.”
LISTEN: Glaswegians tell Boris Johnson exactly what they think of his visit
He added that it was vital all parliamentarians to “set an example of best practice” by following Government guidance, and finished: “Your visit today fails to do so, and once again reinforces the public perception that there is one set of rules for them and another for those in power.
“I urge you to reflect seriously upon this and to respect the guidance."
Downing Street has insisted it is important for the Prime Minister to be "visible and accessible" across the whole of the UK during the pandemic.
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