SNP MSP John Mason is risking lives with his reckless attitude to coronavirus

Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman said her SNP colleague John Mason is neither an “exception nor exceptional”.

She was only partly right.

The Glasgow MSP is unique in his lack of understanding of many things, which he manages to demonstrate regularly.

But Mason has surpassed himself with a “carry on regardless” approach to the coronavirus outbreak that would be funny if it wasn’t so deadly serious.

He firstly objected to churches closing when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stepped up the Scottish Government’s response to the crisis.

When his local church took the official advice, he condemned the move and urged parishioners to “take risks and trust in Jesus”.

It is no criticism of people of faith to condemn the utter stupidity of such a comment.

Then, at the weekend, the MSP cheerfully announced on social media that his constituency office would be open to the public all week and he would carry out home visits.

You would have thought Mason would be well aware by now of the threat Covid-19 poses to the people he serves.

SNP party heavyweights Freeman, Philippa Whitford and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon all condemned their party colleague yesterday.

This is a time for our elected ­officials to step up and show real leadership with a clear message, not confuse the public by contradicting the advice from his senior colleagues.

And we need the message to be heard by many more people.

The amount of people still congregating in our public places threatens the lives of vulnerable people all over Scotland.

We are all in this together and we must condemn the foolish actions of anyone whose reckless actions put the lives of others at risk.

Further demands were made yesterday by the First Minister as the death toll continues to rise.

Things are going to get much worse before they get better and it is up to everyone of us – from members of the Scottish Parliament to members of the public – to do all we can.

Mason should close his office and stay away from church until he is told it is safe to return to normal.

Until then, we urge him and all people of faith to pray for those most at risk from this disease.

Let’s hope someone is listening.