THE Scottish Tories have been accused of deliberately spreading disinformation after blaming the Scottish Government’s vaccine certificate scheme for a so-called “fiasco” at Hampden this weekend.

The party has come under fire after claiming thousands of Tartan Army members were “locked out” of the ground as Scotland’s men’s team kicked off their crucial World Cup qualifier against Israel.

The Tories blamed the apparent chaos on the “botched” vaccine pass programme, even though it is not being properly enforced until October 18.

Ministers insist the SFA has reassured them that any issues at the ground were not the result of the passport scheme.

Fans who attended the game also rejected the Scottish Conservatives’ version of events.

Douglas Ross’s party is now being urged to remove its social media post, which has been live since Monday morning.

SNP MP Richard Thomson, who branded the Scottish Tories “integrity-free”, tweeted: “This is untrue and the Conservatives knew that before they posted it.

“Yet they still keep it online long after the lie has been exposed in the hope they can find more folk who might believe it.

“Rinse and repeat…”

Colleague Douglas Chapman MP added: "We’re almost at our next game and the Tories are still punting this pack of lies from last Saturday. Why not just get behind @ScotlandNT for a change?"

It comes hours after the Scottish Government rubbished the Conservative claims.

A spokesperson said: "These claims are not true. The SFA has confirmed any delayed entry into Hampden at the weekend had nothing to do with the certification scheme.

“Covid certification is a proportionate way of encouraging people to get vaccinated, and also of helping large events and night-time hospitality to keep operating during what will potentially be a very difficult winter.

“We have allowed a grace period for the first two weeks of the scheme in relation to enforcement, while businesses and users become accustomed to the new rules.

"During this period we expect businesses to implement and test their approach to certification – and to prepare their compliance plans – so that they are fully prepared by 18 October, and so we welcome the SFA spot-checking vaccine certificates as part of testing the scheme."

The SFA added: “Stadium gates were opened two hours before kick-off, and we increased stewarding provision and volunteers to mitigate spot-checking procedures for the highest attendance in recent years - 50,585.”

Scotland supporters who were at the game countered the Scottish Tory social media post.

Some pointed out that issues with entry have been longstanding at Scotland games.

While others noted that the stands appeared to be packed at kick-off, suggesting the vast majority of fans had made it into the ground in time for 5pm.

The Scottish Tories have been approached for comment.