A Scots health boss under fire for making lockdown trips to his family home near Inverness has been urged to quit after it emerged he also visited relatives in Glasgow.
NHS Orkney chief executive Iain Stewart last month apologised for causing any upset when he admitted travelling between the island and his family home on Black Isle, which is 150 miles away.
Now it has been revealed that the embattled chief has admitted another trip in the early part of lockdown to see relatives in Glasgow.
Liam McArthur, the Lib Dem MSP for the island, has now called for Mr Stewart to quit after the latest revelations.
He said: “Iain Stewart’s decision to travel back and forth between Orkney and his home in the Black Isle has caused widespread anger within the local community.
"At best, it appeared inadvisable given his role in leading NHS Orkney and its message for people to stay home and save lives.
“In response to the public outcry, Mr Stewart issued an apology in an ‘open letter to the people of Orkney’. For whatever reason, however, he chose not to make any reference to the earlier trip to Glasgow.
“While the detail of the visit may rightly be a private matter, the fact that the trip took place is of public interest. Unfortunately, Mr Stewart’s failure to be open in his open letter leaves his position compromised and untenable.
“The board and management of NHS Orkney have more than enough on their plate at present. It is time to draw a line under this sorry episode, but that can only now happen with the departure of Mr Stewart.”
On the previous trips, Mr Stewart insisted he stayed within the rules but apologised to the people of the island in an open letter for any offence caused.
A spokeswoman for NHS Orkney said: "As previously noted, some degree of travel on and off island is critical to our proper functioning as an island board.
"NHS Orkney has confirmed that our Chief Executive Designate has travelled to Glasgow from his home in the Black Isle. Mr Stewart’s reasons for travelling were personal, and we understand were within the Scottish Government lockdown rules at the time."
