SNP MSP criticised by health secretary over decision to keep office open

Health secretary Jeane Freeman has criticised an MSP in her own party after he announced that his constituency office would remain open to the public - despite government calls for greater social distancing and people to work from home wherever possible.

SNP MSP John Mason was criticised for announcing his constituency office would remain open to the public during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: John Devlin

John Mason, who represents Shettleston in the east end of Glasgow, said he would also undertake home visits to constituents if requested.

Both the UK and Scottish Governments have called for the public to restrict their movements due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“My staff and I are keen to be as available as possible to constituents, so we’re keeping our office open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm,” the MSP said in a message shared on social media over the weekend.

“All my surgeries will now be in my office. Happy to do home visits if needed.”

But that position drew sharp criticism from many of Mr Mason’s party colleagues.

Ms Freeman said: “John, please don’t do this. Follow the clear guidance - you are neither an exception nor exceptional.”

Ricky Bell, an SNP councillor in Glasgow, said: “This man is a disgrace. I am sorry but it needs saying.”

Mhairi Hunter, another Nationalist councillor in the city, said; “I appreciate why you want to do this but it is safer for your constituents, as well as your staff, if you close the office in line with advice that has been issued.”

Fergus Mutch, the former head of the SNP press team at Holyrood, said: “Whenever I ran the SNP press office, I often felt I was defending the indefensible with John Mason.

“In the past, however, he’s only brought the party into disrepute. This stime he’s risking lives. Typically stubborn and deeply arrogant.”

Mr Mason confirmed that he would close his office at 5pm today.

“There is a balance in all this between trying to reassure people on the one hand and encouraging them to take coronavirus seriously,” he told The Scotsman.

“However, we will close the office this evening and keep it under review after that.”

Mr Mason, 62, was first elected as a councillor in 1998 before winning the Shettleston constituency in 2011.

He was forced to apologise in 2017 after he sent a tweet suggesting that some people viewed IRA killers as “freedom fighters”, prompting uproar from parliamentarians in Edinburgh and Belfast.

The Scotsman has asked Mr Mason for comment.