SCOTTISH MPs have warned that Westminster could become a "hotbed" for the coronavirus should parliamentarians be forced back to London.

It comes as Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is leader of the House of Commons, last night told elected members they should 'set an example' and return to work.

Although different restrictions on lockdown are in place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, technically MPs would not be breaking the law by returning to Westminster from outwith England as they are classed as key workers.

However many say it is irresponsible, as measures are in place to take part in debates and votes virtually.

Stewart McDonald, SNP MP for Glasgow South, said by returning to Westminster it could risk undoing the progress the country has made against the pandemic.

He said: "Jacob Rees-Mogg says that we must follow the rules like everyone else - and the rules are clear: if you can work from home then continue to do so. MPs have been doing so, with digital parliamentary proceedings, for some weeks now.

"They’re not ideal and can be frustrating when the technology fails you, but we can keep these measures in place for a while longer without putting people at risk.

"It’s also unclear how the parliamentary estate - home to over 10,000 workers - has been adapted to accommodate social distancing for staff, never mind MPs.

"If the Leader of the House and The Speaker press ahead with this, without proper proper consultation with Commons staff and robust social distancing measures in place, then they risk parliament becoming a hotbed for the spread of the infection and undoing the work done by the public who have persevered with immense patience."

Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South said virtual parliament proceedings should be continued until the crisis ends, adding that MPs would struggle to protect their own staff if they all returned to Westminster.

Mr Murray said: “The virtual UK parliament is working very well and ensuring MPs can represent their constituents from the safety of their own homes.

"That protects them, their families and, of course, the public.

"To have 644 MPs travel to London from all four corners of the U.K. to crowd into the chamber and back again is not reasonable and flies in the face of the governments advice on social distancing and unnecessary journeys. They should extend the virtual parliament for as long as this crisis is still with us.

"Anything else is a dereliction of their duty to keep their staff and the public safe.”

Last night, Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain said Parliament must remain virtual, even after the May recess when Mr Rees-Mogg said remote proceedings would stop. 

She has also called for May recess to be abandoned altogether to allow MPs more opportunity to scrutinise the government.

She said: "It makes no sense to close down for a week for a 'half term' break at a time when scrutiny of the Government's decisions is absolutely paramount.

"It's shocking that MPs are not even afforded opportunity to vote on this motion as the Westminster establishment have agreed the plan behind closed doors."

"Liberal Democrats are calling on the Leader of the House to scrap the May recess to ensure we can continue to hold the Government to account at this critical time.