THE account cited by Jackie Baillie in a debunked attack on the Scottish Government has previously had doubt cast on its authenticity.

The Scottish Labour MSP tagged Health Secretary Humza Yousaf into a comment questioning an account named “Douglas Robinson”, with a Scotland flag emoji after their name and an account description reading: “Scottish school teacher”.

The tweet from Robinson read: “PICU (pediatric critical care unit) full in Edinburgh and Glasgow tonight. Patients moved to England. Any comment @HumzaYousaf?”

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Baillie, the party’s spokesperson for health, did not reach out in private to confirm the veracity – but instead reshared the message on the social media platform.

She added: “Is this correct @HumzaYousaf? Are our paediatric services in Glasgow and Edinburgh at capacity and children are being sent south?”

Yousaf threw cold water on the claim and chastised the spreading of speculation.

He replied: “I am told that this is wholly inaccurate. No patients have been sent to England. The paediatric units are busy but not full.

“There are mutual aid arrangements for paediatric intensive care between Scotland and England and used when required.

“Important we deal in facts, not speculation.”

It has now emerged that the account boosted by Baillie has had its authenticity as a "Scottish school teacher" questioned in the past.

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A Twitter user had last year questioned whether a remark from Robinson's account was in line with the General Teaching Council For Scotland’s (GTCS) media policy on the use of social media.

At this point, the GTCS stepped in, pointing out that there was no registered teacher in Scotland under the name “Douglas Robinson”.

The body wrote: “Douglas Robinson is not a registered teacher in Scotland. We are always happy to consider feedback. If you wish to ask any questions about our work please DM us.”

It’s not the first time doubt has been cast on statements relating to Baillie.

Former Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard parted ways with a press officer who had told a journalist concerns expressed by his MSP colleague about a party plot were the “latest Jackie Baillie pish”.