John Swinney has apologised over what appears to be a direct breach of coronavirus regulations while out on the campaign trail.
The Deputy First Minister deleted a picture he posted on Twitter of himself and four other party activists after they met up while out leafleting for the May election.
Candidates for the Holyrood poll have been told they must follow the same rules as the rest of the nation, with four people from two households allowed to meet up outdoors.
The snap, uploaded online around 3pm on Friday March 26 was captioned: "Delighted to get out on the SNP campaign trail today."
However, soon after being contacted by The Courier, who broke the news, the picture was deleted.
Swinney said: "A small number of my supporters were leafleting in the same town. We should not have gathered together at that time and I apologise for that.”
It came after police spoke to the Scottish minister responsible for setting Covid rules, Graeme Dey, over a separate incident.
It is believed he asked at least eight people to gather near Carnoustie Beach for a picture “marking the first day of the Scottish election campaign”.
Reacting to the revelations, Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett, who is running against Swinney in Perthshire North, said: “Every candidate needs to set a good example, and that goes double for Cabinet ministers.
"Instead senior SNP figures have breached the rules at the first available opportunity."
“Perthshire North needs an MSP who will uphold high standards in public office.”
While the Scottish Tory candidate for the area, Murdo Fraser, said: “This is very embarrassing for John Swinney, who, as deputy first minister, should be very aware of the various Covid restrictions.
“What this does illustrate is just how complicated the many Covid restrictions are, and how many of them are difficult to understand.
“The success of the UK Government’s vaccination programme should mean that we should start to see some of the restrictions starting to be eased, and this should result in situations like this not arising.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers have since spoken to those involved and will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, using enforcement as a last resort.
“There were no fixed penalty notices issued.”
