THE SNP conference host, Hayley Matthews, has deleted her Twitter account after coming under fire for sharing views espoused by "anti-vaxxers" about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Matthews, 39, has been introducing the main debates and speakers at the SNP's three-day conference which ends today and is being held online because of the global coronavirus crisis.

The conference host wrote on Twitter that a coronavirus conspiracy was "speaking the truth" and that nature is the "best medicine", as opposed to a vaccine.

She also said she would not have the flu jab or have it administered to her eight-year-old child. 

Vaccines have been strongly welcomed by the Scottish Government and one million Scots could be immunised by the end of January 2021.

Ministers, the NHS and other public bodies are keen to stamp out the views of anti-vaxxers and others spreading peddling false information about vaccines amid concerns it will stop vast numbers of people having the vaccine and therefore drive forward the pandemic.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has confirmed that public health information on the vaccine will be released on why it is safe.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also stated: "I think all of us should guard against buying into conspiracy theories on the internet or anywhere else, and on Covid, that is obviously particularly important."

SNP led Glasgow city council earlier this month launched a crackdown on those spreading disinformation about Covid and vaccines in response to conspiracy theories mushrooming online.

The local authority announced unprecedented measures to challenge fake news about the disease, future vaccinations and lockdown policies. 

Matthews, a former STV and BBC employee, wrote on Twitter "Would not let my kid have a flu jab or have any covid s***e! Love from Scotland."

She also liked a tweet which said "The vaccine should be tested on politicians first. If they survive, the vaccine is safe. If they don’t, then the country is safe.", and other tweets such as "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again only louder. NO LOCKDOWN NO TRACK NO TEST NO MASK NO VAX.", and "Your compliance ensures our enslavement, WAKE UP".

Matthews wrote in a column in October that she was not an "anti-vaxer" but then wrote: "The big pharma companies assure us they’re safe however, the less chemicals pumped in us, surely the better, no? I started researching heavy metal detoxing and the benefits on child behaviours and adult health so I’m going to give it a go as the metals in these vaccines worry me greatly.

"So that’s why I’ve decided not to get the flu jab or give it to my eight-year-old. Instead I’m upping vitamin C to 1000mg daily, we’re all on probiotics and taking more of the good stuff.”

She added: "By all means get your flu jab if that’s what’s best for you. However, this winter the kids and I will be rolling about in the mud and eating worms because nature’s the best medicine."

Labour MSP Monica Lennon told the Daily Record, which uncovered Matthews' posts: “The Scottish Government has rightly warned the public about the double threat of Covid and flu this winter and the importance of getting vaccinated. Individuals who peddle dangerous nonsense about the safety of the flu jab risk undermining the heroic efforts of NHS staff.”

An SNP spokesperson gave a statement from Matthews which read: "As I stated in my Edinburgh Evening News column, I’m not an anti-vaxxer. The pandemic has been tough for all of us and I’m sure I’m not alone in learning how to keep safe. I’ll be getting vaccinated as soon as it is offered to me."

Matthews has since deleted her Twitter account.