A NATIONAL reader has written to Holyrood's Presiding Officer over Murdo Fraser's "unlawful" comments to Manchester residents despite the Scotland travel ban.
Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on travel from Scotland to Manchester and Salford which came into force on Monday due to rising Covid-19 cases in the cities, with upwards of 330 cases per 100,000 people.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (below) took issue with the ban, saying that he was not contacted before the announcement and criticised the Scottish Government's approach.
Burnham also demanded that the Scottish Government provide compensation to travellers from the cities who had to cancel plans to travel to Scotland due to the ban. The request was rebuffed by Deputy First Minister John Swinney who told Burnham that there was business support in place to help companies during the pandemic.
READ MORE: John Swinney knocks back Andy Burnham's demand for travel ban compensation
In the midst of the row between Burnham and the Scottish Government, Tory MSP Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, was interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester where he encouraged residents to come across the Border, despite the ban.
When asked by presenter Phil Trow how the ban would impact tourism operators in Scotland, Fraser replied: "The message I’d like to send to all your listeners in Manchester is please come to Scotland.
“Nicola Sturgeon is not representing the Scottish people when she makes these comments. We would like you, we would love you to come to Scotland. The weather here is glorious at the moment, and we’re ready and open for visitors so please come and don’t be put off.”
Now though, a National reader has written to Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone requesting that the Tory MSP be referred to Holyrood's Standards Committee over the comments.
In the letter to Johnstone that was shared with The National, John Hunter-Paterson, a retired chartered insurance broker and vice-convener of the Scottish Independence Foundation, said that Fraser's comments were "unlawful", due to them encouraging people to break the law by travelling to Scotland, and "disrespectful to the laws of Scotland".
READ MORE: Anger as Tory MSP tells people in Manchester to 'please' come to Scotland
Hunter-Paterson wrote: "I would like you to refer the Conservative Member of Parliament, Murdo Fraser, to the Standards Committee for comments he made to BBC Radio Manchester in respect of the Scottish Government’s travel ban between Scotland, Manchester and Salford.
"During the interview, he stated that he would like all listeners in the Manchester area to come to Scotland. This request is, in my opinion, unlawful and challenges the authority of the Parliament and its elected government.
"That a member of the Scottish Parliament should actively encourage people to break the law is unacceptable and must surely breach parliamentary conduct protocols. The comments are also disrespectful to the laws of Scotland and the authority of the Parliament.
"We need no reminding that the country is combating a deadly disease that has already caused untold grief, misery, pain and hardship.
"If a member of the Scottish Parliament cannot live within the rules of society and conduct himself as a responsible member of the legislature then his suitability to represent his constituents must be questioned."
The Scottish Conservatives were contacted for comment.
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