The Prime Minister has been sharply criticised on social media for mistaking the Liberal Democrat’s Chief Whip with a Scottish National Party (SNP) MP.
Alistair Carmichael, a committed opponent to Scottish independence, was grilling Boris Johnson on post-Brexit food standards when the blunder took place.
The veteran Lib Dem, the longest-serving Unionist MP in Scotland, urged the PM to review a loophole in English legislation regarding the packaging of meat during Wednesday’s session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
He warned: "Labelling legislation in this country allows beef from anywhere in the world to be labelled as British beef as long as it is packaged in this country.
"If the Prime Minister is serious about maintaining food standards, especially in light of any future trade arrangements, will he do something to close that loophole?"
But Mr Johnson hit back at the pro-Remain MP for Orkney and Shetland, saying that the rules belonged to the European Union that he so supported.
The PM then implied that Mr Carmichael supported Scottish independence – despite the minister’s staunch and ongoing campaigns against it.
He said: “I can only say that it must be one of those things that is currently governed by the laws of the EU - to which he is bound to return an independent Scotland, should that catastrophe ever arise.”
Twitter users were quick to point out the gaffe, with STV News journalist Dan Vevers commenting: “Oh dear. Alistair Carmichael who served as Scottish secretary during the Better Together campaign. In a coalition government led by the Conservative party.“
The Times’ political sketch writer tweeted: “Think Boris just mistook Alistair Carmichael - a Lib Dem ancient - for an SNP member. Oopsie.
And Senior SNP MP Stewart McDonald posted: “It’s that grasp of detail that really makes the PM the man for the moment”.
Mr Carmichael later made light of the mix-up when quizzed by the Scotsman newspaper.
"Boris seemed to think I had joined (the SNP)," he laughed.
"I am quite happy where I am, thank you."
