BORIS Johnson praised the Scottish Government for their “amazing” cooperation with Westminster through the pandemic - however he seemingly did so to avoid answering a difficult question from an SNP MP.
Dave Doogan, who represents Angus for the SNP, asked how devolved governments could work with the London administration in a way that is not “simply England's way or the highway”.
Doogan asked the Prime Minister: "While the First Minister has welcomed the UK Government's current very cautious approach to travel, she won't sign up to any plans that could put Scotland's progress at risk.
"Will the Prime Minister confirm today what happens in the event that devolved nations' strategic ambitions are at odds with the UK Government's?
READ MORE: Up to 30 cases of Indian variant of coronavirus are in Scotland, Jason Leitch says
"How is compromise in that scenario reached that isn't simply England's way or the highway?"
Johnson seemingly used praise for the Scottish Government to avoid answering the question.
He replied: "I think that the level of cooperation, in spite of the differences which are sometimes accentuated or emphasised for whatever reason, has been amazing.
"And if you look at what's happening in Scotland today, it's very close to what's happening in the rest of the UK.
"That's the level of cooperation that we're showing together."
Previously, while Scotland imposed quarantine on all arrivals from overseas in order to prevent new Covid variants being imported, England only did so for travellers from red list countries.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson urged to 'sit up and listen' to travel loophole concerns
This created a travel “loophole” which the UK Government were often urged to address, as people could simply fly into England and travel up to Scotland to avoid having to quarantine.
Speaking in March, Dr Philippa Whitford, the SNP’s health spokesperson, said: "Warnings about the threat of new variants from Public Health England should make the UK Government sit up and listen.
“Their quarantine system is not fit for purpose and has easily exploitable loopholes that need closed urgently.”
England’s system remains unchanged, with red, amber and green travel lists now being considered by the Scottish Government due to the falling prevalence of Covid-19.
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