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Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, tweeted a graphic with the caption: “Thank you for your cooperation #LoveU.” The graphic had a picture of the Scottish Saltire and a Scottish Government logo on it reminding English people of Scotland’s coronavirus rules in relation to face coverings.
It added: “No mask, No Scotland.
“If you’re visiting us this summer, wear a mask. Scotland isn’t England.
“Our laws are different”.
It comes as “freedom day” brought more differences between coronavirus regulations in Scotland and England, with an end to social distancing requirements and the mandatory wearing of face-coverings south of the border.
Meanwhile, the SNP-led Scottish Government moved Scotland to Level 0 coronavirus restrictions on Monday, meaning social distancing is set at 1 metre whilst face masks are compulsory on public transport.
Stephen Kerr, Scottish Conservative Chief Whip, claimed the messaging was “aggressive” messaging from the Nats.
The Central Scotland MSP added: “I understand the importance of spreading the message about Covid restrictions in Scotland.
“But surely we can do that without combative, aggressive messages like “Scotland isn’t England.
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The Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery tweeted the image which claims there is a 0 per cent risk of transmitting Covid as long as you wear a mask and stand six feet apart.
But the claims shared in the image do not appear to be supported by evidence and were questioned by fact-checking services such as Reuters and the Danish site TjekDet.
The Scottish Tories have reported Mr Swinney to the UK Statistics Authority over the Tweet, which remains on his page.
Health spokeswoman Annie Wells has written to the UK’s National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, asking for their input on the use of an unverified graphic that makes claims about the effectiveness of wearing a mask against Covid.
The Glasgow MSP added: “The continued use of an unverified graphic like this is potentially dangerous.
“It undermines the serious public health message that masks can limit the spread of the virus.
“It may even convince some people that there is zero risk from Covid in certain situations, which is not supported by science.
“The repeatedly poor judgement from the SNP Government on this issue is concerning. Fake news must be stamped out and we have reported this graphic to the UK Statistics Authority for their input, since SNP Ministers will not act.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Cabinet ministers would “reflect” on the credibility of graphics being used to illustrate coronavirus information.
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