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In a letter to the Prime Minister, Stewart McDonald asked how politicians can "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".

The Uk Government's current COVID-19 lockdown advice asks people to "stay at home" and only adhere to essential travel, whilst the Scottish Government has banned cross-border travel unless deemed absolutely necessary

Commenting, Stewart McDonald said:

"At a time when the Government's own advice is to adhere to essential travel only, it flies in the face of logic and common sense for the Prime Minister to travel from London to Glasgow for what can only be described as a photo opportunity.

"I acknowledge and share the desire to thank the members of our armed services for their diligence, hard work, and expertise in setting up facilities to support the mass vaccination centres, but the best way to pay tribute to the those in the armed forces is to pay them a proper wage, improve their working conditions and better support armed forces families.

"As the NHS across the UK faces increasing pressure from the effects of new variant Covid-19 alongside the annual winter period demands, it is incumbent upon all of us in elected office to set an example of best practice in following the published guidance issued across the four nations.

"The Prime Minster's 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 him to reflect seriously upon this and to respect the guidance."