EAST Lothian's MP has defended travelling between his constituency and the north of Scotland.

East Lothian Labour Party called on Kenny MacAskill MP to clarify his actions amid reports that he was living in Speyside before twice travelling to East Lothian.

Under Scottish Government rules, people are only allowed to travel outside their immediate area unless it is “absolutely necessary”.

Mr MacAskill confirmed to the Courier he had a house in the north of Scotland, as well as a home in Dunbar.

He said: “At Christmas, my daughter was returning from Aberdeen University to what is her home and, before lockdown, I travelled north so my wife and I could spend Christmas with her.

“Continued lockdown has seen me require to remain there, other than on two occasions when I've returned for medical-related appointments.

“On each occasion I followed the rules and guidance.

“I look forward to the lifting of restrictions when I'll be able to return to reside in Dunbar."

Mr MacAskill, a former SNP cabinet secretary for justice, became East Lothian MP in 2019 when he defeated Labour’s Martin Whitfield.

A spokesman for the county’s Labour Party suggested Mr MacAskill’s behaviour during lockdown would “come as a shock to the people of East Lothian”.

The spokesman added: “After relocating to Speyside he now has questions to answer about his two journeys to East Lothian while the current travel restrictions are in place.

"Mr MacAskill rightly called for action against Dominic Cummings when his lockdown rules breach emerged. It is only right that he should face the same scrutiny of his own actions.

“Many East Lothian residents will understandably feel that he has at best stretched the rules on travel, which he has been imploring others to follow, and that his actions should now be investigated.”

Mr MacAskill was spotted walking with his dog in Banffshire at the weekend.

It is a near-200 mile drive from Dunbar to where Mr MacAskill is understood to be living just now.