Glaring loopholes in quarantine north and south of the border are putting the public and police in a "very difficult position", a legal expert warned.

John Scott QC is reviewing the way covid laws have been applied by police, and was critical of the way governments imposed controversial hotel isolation rules.

The claim comes as UK government minister Matt Hancock offered to have “conversations” with the SNP administration at Holyrood on the impact of the differing rules after they were put in law.

From Monday morning, travellers flying direct to Scotland from abroad have to self-isolate for 10 days in a quarantine hotel room. It costs £1750 for the enforced stay in one of six designated locations.

But in England, the rule applies to people coming from 33 “red-list” countries.

The majority of international travel to the UK comes through English airports, meaning people can get on public transport at Heathrow and travel to Scotland without having to follow the blanket quarantine rule.

Scott, a human rights lawyer, said both governments did not “knock heads together” earlier enough to avoid unnecessary conflicts between regulations.

“They are potentially a very big difficulty because someone can land lawfully from any of the non red-list countries in England,” he told BBC Radio Scotland.

“But if they travel on to Scotland then as soon as they cross the border then, arguably, they are breaking our criminal law by not proceeding to quarantine.

“It’s put members of the public in a very difficult position, and put Police Scotland in a very difficult position.

“If the detail of the regulations had been published earlier, in fact if the UK and Scottish governments had got their act together in discussions, there could have been far greater clarity in the dissemination of what is exactly is involved and allow Police Scotland to train their officers on it.”

Scott said key people were not consulted on the law, and he claimed parliament “has not stepped up” to properly scrutinise wider rules.

Today, hours after it was set in law, Westminster health secretary Matt Hancock denied the UK Government is ignoring expert guidance and leaving the back door open to new variants of covid.

He said lighter home quarantine is “reasonable” and admitted he’s not had “direct conversations” about the problems with Scottish counterparts.

Asked if we will now talk to the Scottish Government, he told BBC Radio Scotland today: “I’m happy to have those conversations.”

Announcing the Scottish quarantine policy in parliament last week, SNP transport minister Michael Matheson said six hotels have been block-booked in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with up to 1,300 rooms available.

Three of the the hotels are near Edinburgh Airport, two close to Glasgow Airport and one near Aberdeen Airport.

Scottish Government guidance stipulates those subject to quarantine require a negative Covid-19 test no more than three days before travelling and to have booked at a room at a quarantine hotel in advance.

They will also have to submit a passenger locator form to the Home Office declaring which countries they have been to in the 10 days before arrival in the UK.

Airlines have been asked to check for these and they will also be checked by Border Force officers on arrival, who can issue fines of £480 for non-compliance.

Security will then escort passengers to baggage reclaim and to pre-arranged transport to the quarantine hotel.

On arrival at the hotel, they will be given two home testing kits to be used on days two and eight of isolation.

These are covered by the cost as are three meals per day, fruit and soft drinks.

If they test positive at any point they will be required to stay in the hotel for 10 days after the test, at an additional charge starting at £152 daily for the first adult.

Critics have pointed out travellers could alternatively land at an English airport from a country not on the red list, then just travel home.