Ross-shire MPs Ian Blackford and Jamie Stone take issue with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's lockdown message
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EASTER Ross MP Jamie Stone has hit out at the lack of clarity over Prime Minister Boris Johnson's latest announcement on the coronavirus crisis and proposals to gradually ease the lockdown.
Mr Stone said: “I watched Boris’ briefing with close attention. When a constituent comes to me and asks what the announcement means, I cannot in all honesty tell them with any confidence.
"I am none the wiser to what ‘#StayAlert’ is supposed to mean, especially in the context of a devolved United Kingdom. Clarity begins at home.
“There will be a long debate now about what Boris said and what Nicola {Sturgeon}said but rather than get bogged down in political wrangling, I continue to abide by one guiding principle: that everything I do as an MP ensures the protection of my constituents from coronavirus.
“This means continuing to follow the medical advice by not travelling to Westminster; keeping up the pressure on the U.K. and Scottish Governments to support our tourism industry during a season where tourists cannot be welcomed; and fighting for health and care workers to be given all the help they need.”
Ian Blackford, the SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber also took issue with the PM's comments.
He Tweeted: "For the absence of doubt, the Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all believe we should stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. We wanted a four nation consensus but @BorisJohnson is ploughing his own furrow. He does not speak for the other Governments in the UK."
He said Mr Johnson's timeline of reopening schools, non-essential shops and hospitality "certainly won't be happening in Scotland" adding that "now is not the time for us to be putting in place the reversal of lockdown".
