Police officers have slammed the separatist's soft-touch approach to justice. In a submission to the policing sub-committee, the Scottish Police Federation said it was ‘morally indefensible’ that people who deliberately coughed or spat on police officers were not automatically remanded in custody.

They also called for daily testing of frontline officers, and said that public confidence in the justice system could crumble if criminals keep offending while awaiting punishment by a backlogged court service.

Finally, they said the SNP’s language on lockdown has led to confusion and frustration.

Police officers are on the frontline enforcing this lockdown - we must protect them.

Cllr Alastair Redman