THE Scottish Greens have urged the BBC to stop showing the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing in Scotland as it is “confusing” and “potentially dangerous” to the public.

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater wrote to BBC director general Tony Hall about the issue, saying the differing messages across the UK is making it “increasingly challenging” for the Scottish Government.

Scotland went into lockdown at the same time as the UK on March 23 but while lockdown rules have been relaxed in England, allowing people to “drive to other destinations”, Scots are not allowed to travel more than five miles from home.

While lockdown measures have eased slightly in Scotland, the new rules do not apply to those in the shielding category who have to stay at home. This differs to England’s approach as it was announced on Monday that the 2.2 million people shielding there are allowed to go outside with members of their household as long as they continue to follow physical distancing guidelines.

Nicola Sturgeon has had to repeatedly emphasise that the lifting of lockdown measures in England does not apply here.

READ MORE: SNP MP backs call for BBC to stop showing UK briefing in Scotland

Slater said these “substantially different” approaches have not been communicated effectively by the UK Government.

Her letter to Hall said: “You will appreciate the importance of clearly communicating public health guidance at this time of national crisis. The guidance and regulations in each country of the UK is different, and in some cases substantially different. For instance, the UK Government has this week announced a change in the guidance for people in the ‘shielding’ category, meaning government guidance there is significantly different to that in Scotland.

“This makes clear communication ever more important, but also increasingly challenging. However ensuring people understand exactly what the guidance is where they live is essential, and I am sure you would agree that the BBC has a crucial role to play in this regard.”

Slater pointed out that the BBC News app gives users push notifications for the daily Downing Street briefing but not the Scottish equivalent.

She added: “It is with this need for clarity in mind that I wish to raise concerns about the broadcasting of the UK Government daily press briefing in Scotland. As you know BBC Scotland broadcasts the Scottish Government’s daily briefing and various Scottish Parliamentary proceedings on TV, radio and online. It then broadcasts the UK Government briefing in the evening, which often includes contradictory information which may be only relevant to England. I’m sure you will understand how this may be confusing for those watching in Scotland.

It went on: “It has also been drawn to my attention that the BBC News app sends push notifications to people in Scotland for the UK Government briefing, but not the Scottish equivalent ... In normal times broadcasting information to a Scottish audience that is only relevant to an English audience would be a cause for irritation, but at the height of a public health emergency it is potentially dangerous.

“I am therefore asking that in future you do not broadcast the UK Government daily briefing in Scotland.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We have received the letter and will respond in due course."

It comes as a Cardiff University study revealed 50% of those questioned mistakenly believed the Westminster Government was in charge of lockdown across the UK.

READ MORE: Public 'confused' about lockdown over London-based news reports