Senior SNP figures have slammed a Tory MP who branded nationalists "work-shy" for wanting to contribute to debates remotely instead of travelling to Westminster.
Henry Smith took aim at “socialist and nationalist MPs” and called them the “lazy left” for trying to force the UK Government into continuing the virtual parliament - which allows members to vote electronically and attend committees via video calls.
"Not that I should be surprised by the lazy left but interesting how work-shy socialist and nationalist MPs tried to keep the remote Parliament going beyond June 2," the Tory MP tweeted earlier.
The hybrid model was introduced during lockdown to keep MPs and their staff safe while ensuring Westminster could continue to operate.
Opposition MPs have argued that travelling between London and their constituencies is not appropriate given the differing lockdown restrictions in Scotland and England.
But the UK Government has insisted all MPs must return to the Commons as of June 2.
Reacting to Smith's accusation that nationalists were "lazy", Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss said: "I've worked every single day of lockdown, answering emails, dealing with cases, trying to get answers from UK Gov departments for constituents, while looking after kids at home.
"Colleagues have done likewise. The digital Parliament has allowed us to work efficiently and safely."
Mike Russell, the Scottish Government's constitutional affairs spokesman, accused the Tory MP of "arrogant stupidity and offensiveness".
He said: "The 'save lives' mantra is the same in all four nations of these islands - but he doesn't seem to give a fig for those lives, even of his colleagues."
SNP MP Amy Callaghan said last week the virtual parliament had finally succeeded in dragging Westminster into the 21st century.
"For once, I will agree with Jacob Rees-Mogg: MPs must lead by example - but that's why it must keep elements of the virtual parliament, so we can work from home," she said.
"I don't want to be responsible for putting my constituents at risk by travelling to London when it's not safe to do so.
"We need to keep pressing the government that it's not safe for MPs north of the Border to travel. We need to keep that diverse range of voices in parliament."
