The chief executive of NHS Orkney is facing calls to step down after it emerged he travelled to Glasgow during the early stages of lockdown.
Before details of the trip emerged, Iain Stewart had already been criticised for travelling from Kirkwall to his Black Isle family home at weekends.
The health board has said that the journey was undertaken for “personal” reasons and that it did not breach Scottish Government rules.
However, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has now said that Mr Stewart should quit or be removed.
The Liberal Democrat 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.”
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.”
