TWO Scottish Tory councillors have publicly stated their intention to ignore Scottish Government guidance on travel in favour of Westminster rules.
Responding to comments from Humza Yousaf over the weekend on the UK Government’s air bridges scheme, Councillor Kathleen Leslie - who previously called the First Minister a "drooling hag" - and Cosla resources spokesperson Councillor Gail Macgregor took to Twitter to say that they would base their travel plans during coronavirus restrictions on advice issued by the UK Foreign Secretary, not Holyrood ministers.
While border control is overseen by Westminster, health measures, such as quarantines, are a devolved matter. Holyrood has stated that an announcement on its response to the idea of “air bridges” will be made in the coming days.
The Justice Secretary had originally tweeted his disappointment at the fact that “no UK Government Minister has discussed this with the Scottish Government”.
Macgregor later commented on the tweet’s thread: “We were discussing this earlier, given my location in Scotland I’m far more likely to fly from Newcastle or Manchester, how do they police me?
“We’re UK and foreign policy is reserved, I’ll take my travel advice from @DominicRaab.”
READ MORE: Scottish Border: Thousands back travel limitations amid virus fears
Leslie then quoted the reply, stating that she “will do exactly the same”.
“The United Kingdom is one country and my holiday decisions will be based on information from the UK Government,” she added.
Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy councillor Leslie is no stranger to making her views on the SNP and Yes campaign known.
Back in 2013, she tagged Nicola Sturgeon – who was deputy first minister at the time – in a tweet which said: “Wee Jimmy Krankie is a drooling hag. She’s a walking horror show.”
The Tory, who was elected to Fife Council in 2017, also described Sturgeon as a “wee fish wife” and labelled EuroMillions winners Chris and Colin Weir “uneducated fat f*****s” after they donated millions to the Yes campaign.
Keith Brown MSP, the SNP's depute leader, said: “These Tory politicians should delete their grossly irresponsible tweets at once. Should they fail to do so then Jackson Carlaw has to condemn - and he should really consider disciplining them.
“As we adapt to live in our new normal, politicians of all colours should be thinking a little more about how we conduct ourselves in public life.”
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