Private security giant G4S have hired a 70-year-old man to work at a coronavirus field hospital - despite him being at risk of catching the killer disease.
The firm admitted recruiting the pensioner, who is among the at risk category of people, at the new temporary NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital at the SEC event centre in Glasgow, which is being transformed into a temporary hospital to treat Covid-19 patients.
The venue, called NHS Louisa Jordan, will be Scotland's first coronavirus field hospital and will treat 300 patients.
The NHS has listed those at risk as people aged 70 or over, those who are pregnant and people who have a condition that may increase health risks if they contract coronavirus.
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Despite the age of the employee, who is understood to have worked with G4S for four years, the company has defended the man working at the field hospital and said it's "ultimately up to employees" if they wish to continue working.
Government guidelines state that anyone over the age of 70 must strictly adhere to social distancing rules as they are most at risk from complications if they succumb to the virus.
However it has stopped short of issuing any guidance for employers or employees in the most vulnerable age bracket.
A company source told the Glasgow Times the man is employed on a part-time basis and generally covers security at football and rugby matches.
A spokeswoman for G4S said: "The safety of all our staff is our top priority.
"We have put in place measures across our sites to ensure teams have the right support and PPE as advised by healthcare experts.
"All colleagues have received detailed communications on the government guidelines for key workers in addition to advice from G4S on the options available to them.
"Where colleagues are fit to work they may take the decision to continue doing so."
As of Friday afternoon, 9,016 people have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus - 8,114 in England, 495 in Scotland, 315 in Wales and 92 in Northern Ireland.
But the true toll is likely much higher as hundreds are thought to have died in private homes, care homes and hospices.
