Scotland have failed to carry out any follow-up checks on people flying into the country due to ‘security clearance’ issues

On June 7, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced the Scottish Government’s quarantine plans to ensure travellers from abroad isolate for 14 days on arrival – warning those breaking the rules could face a fine of up to £480 and even £5,000 if they face prosecution.

The Health Secretary told BBC Politics Scotland that it is down to data protection and security problems between Scottish officials and the Home Office.

She said: “Part of the problem, that is now resolved and the follow-up checks will begin this week, but we had to have our Public Health Scotland officials security cleared in order to access the Home Office systems.

“That’s the system you need to access to get passenger data in order to protect people’s data. That is now resolved and those follow-up calls will begin this week.”

Ms Freeman said she was unaware if other devolved parts of the UK had been able to conduct follow-up checks.

She added: “I know that Public Health England has been able to do that - but of course, they are part of the Home Office system, we were not.

“Our officials had to get that necessary security clearance in order to be able to access the data that then allows the follow-up calls to be made.

“That’s now thankfully resolved. Those calls will begin this week – they should begin this week as early as possible."

The Scottish Conservative have claimed the problems highlights more issues with testing.

On June 7, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced the Scottish Government’s quarantine plans to ensure travellers from abroad isolate for 14 days on arrival – warning those breaking the rules could face a fine of up to £480 and even £5,000 if they face prosecution.

The Health Secretary told BBC Politics Scotland that it is down to data protection and security problems between Scottish officials and the Home Office.

She said: “Part of the problem, that is now resolved and the follow-up checks will begin this week, but we had to have our Public Health Scotland officials security cleared in order to access the Home Office systems.

“That’s the system you need to access to get passenger data in order to protect people’s data. That is now resolved and those follow-up calls will begin this week.”

Ms Freeman said she was unaware if other devolved parts of the UK had been able to conduct follow-up checks.

She added: “I know that Public Health England has been able to do that - but of course, they are part of the Home Office system, we were not.

“Our officials had to get that necessary security clearance in order to be able to access the data that then allows the follow-up calls to be made.

“That’s now thankfully resolved. Those calls will begin this week – they should begin this week as early as possible."

The Scottish Conservative have claimed the problems highlights more issues with testing.