DAVID Mundell is furious at Nicola Sturgeon's suggestion she could ask to close the border between Scotland and England if the UK Government tries to prematurely end the lockdown.
Appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme, the First Minister said she would diverge from the four-nation approach to tackling the coronavirus if the advice she received suggested doing so would “protect the population”.
Mundell criticised the move, tweeting: "This is ridiculous talk. We are one United Kingdom. There is no border between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."
This is ridiculous talk. We are one United Kingdom. There is no border between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. https://t.co/2VMa61gyz4
— David Mundell MP (@DavidMundellDCT) April 27, 2020
His tweet, which was retweeted by former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, was accompanied by a picture of the border he claims doesn't exist.
SNP MP Hannah Bardell criticised the tweet, saying: "You might want to check your facts there David and you know, history."
You might want to check your facts there David and you know, history. 🙄 https://t.co/sWNWUrNOLj
— Hannah Bardell MP 🏴🏳️🌈 (@HannahB4LiviMP) April 27, 2020
SNP councillor for Glasgow, Mhairi Hunter, said Mundell was showing "Trump-like levels of reality-denying".
There is a border. Trump-like levels of reality-denying here. https://t.co/Iqcsmayz6P
— Mhairi Hunter (@MhairiHunter) April 27, 2020
Mundell's son, Oliver, also hit out at the FM's comments but did not deny there is a border between Scotland and England.
He said: "This is NOT acceptable and has caused worry for many. Dumfriesshire constituents cross the border everyday for essential work, access to healthcare, to support vulnerable family and for groceries @NicolaSturgeon please just say sorry for the mistake and rule out this nonsense."
David Mundell: There is no border.
— Ross Colquhoun (@rosscolquhoun) April 27, 2020
Oliver Mundell: There is a border.
These are very confusing times for the Scottish Tories it would seem. pic.twitter.com/c13pbKiH6b
Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw was also critical of Sturgeon's suggestion, saying: "It is ridiculous to suggest Nicola Sturgeon could close the border. There is no border - we are one United Kingdom."
READ MORE: Jackson Carlaw says 'there is no border' between Scotland and England
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