The National:

MURDO Fraser’s brass neck is famously so shiny, that on a clear day, it can be seen from Dundee.

The glint from from the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP’s nape was particularly dazzling yesterday, after NHS Tayside put out a public statement denying Tory rumours that the A&E at Perth Royal Infirmary was closing.

WATCH: First Minister tears apart Murdo Fraser's argument at FMQs

It read: "The Board of NHS Tayside has said on a number of occasions that A&E in Perth Royal Infirmary will not be closing. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman also gave this public commitment last month on approving our Shaping Surgical Services proposals."

“This is truly extraordinary,” the Fraser thundered on Twitter. “Who claimed the A&E was 'closing'? Not the best of weeks for @NHSTayside!"

Perhaps NHS Tayside were thinking of the MSP who four weeks ago tweeted: "Absolute disgrace that the SNP are effectively going to close Perth Royal Infirmary A&E.”

Who was behind that outrageous, furious, scaremongering slur?

Er… one Murdo Fraser.

Responding, an SNP source said: “This is yet another example of how the Tories think they can say what they like and get away with it.

READ MORE: Murdo Fraser left looking very silly after police VAT claim backfires

"Gaffe-prone Murdo Fraser must think people are stupid – scaremongering by claiming that health services in Perth will close one minute, then asking who was making those very claims the next.

"He is utterly shameless in his attempts to scare people across Perth. But facts have never been Murdo's strong point – and it's clear he isn't going to start now."

In his defence, we're sure it's not easy for Scottish Tories to keep track of so many fake outrages.