POLICE Scotland has received complaints about Boris Johnson’s trip to Scotland, it has been confirmed.
The force made the announcement as the Prime Minister visited a vaccination centre in Castlemilk, Glasgow.
Earlier, Johnson was guided by staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as he toured the Lighthouse Laboratory, which is used to process coronavirus home-testing kits. He also visited the Valneva laboratory in Livingston, West Lothian, where experts are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
LISTEN: Glaswegians tell Boris Johnson exactly what they think of his visit
The Prime Minister was accompanied by a Police Scotland escort, with armed officers guarding the PM.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We have received a small number of complaints regarding Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Scotland.
“This is a working visit in his official capacity as Prime Minister and we are policing the event appropriately”.
Fears have been raised about the mid-pandemic visit, with Nicola Sturgeon questioning whether it is an “essential” journey.
Those concerns were echoed by SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, who has called for a Westminster debate about Tory ministers failing to follow their own coronavirus rules.
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Speaking in the Commons, he said: “I know of course that every time the Prime Minister opens his mouth on the subject, his ill-informed views drive support for Scottish independence upwards and I know also that his stage-managed visits to selected Scottish supporters make the SNP’s case for it.
“So in normal circumstances, he would be most welcome, but these are not normal circumstances. We are telling millions of people not to leave their homes and only to make essential journeys.
“This gallivanting is a blatant piece of electioneering while most are focused on fighting Covid. But the real tragedy is that his actions will undermine the public health message which we all need to succeed.”
READ MORE: Sir Keir Starmer defends Boris Johnson's 'legitimate' trip to Scotland
However, Downing Street insists Johnson’s trip is essential.
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said: “It remains the fact that it is a fundamental role of the Prime Minister to be the physical representative of the UK Government, and it’s right he’s visible and accessible to businesses and communities across all parts of the UK - especially during the pandemic.”
That opinion was backed by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who agreed the mid-pandemic visit is is “legitimate”.
He told LBC Radio: “I’m with the Prime Minister on this one. He’s the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It is important that he travels to see what’s going on on the ground.”
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