A RENFREWSHIRE care worker who mimed the lyrics "f*** the Pope and the IRA" in an online video viewed by tens of thousands of people has been warned about her conduct.

Emma Gray filmed herself mouthing the sectarian remarks while gesturing to the camera with a raised middle finger before sharing the footage on social media platform TikTok.

The incident took place in May last year, with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) now ruling that Gray's behaviour showed her fitness to practise was impaired.

A report into her conduct described it as "serious" and "below the standard expected of registered workers."

The SSSC, which is the regulator for the social work, social care and early years workforce in Scotland, told Gray: "Social service workers must work in a way that promotes diversity and respects different cultures and values.

"By posting a video on the TikTok social media platform with you miming the lyrics "f*** the Pope and the IRA" while gesturing to the camera with a raised middle finger, your actions were sectarian and were likely to provoke outrage amongst members of a religious community, particularly those who follow the Roman Catholic faith."

It added: "Although the behaviour occurred outside work, the video was viewed by over 22,000 members of the public, causing a wider reputational impact to the social services profession."

Gray, who was employed in Paisley as a home service provider with Renfrewshire Council when she posted the video, has had an 18-month warning placed on her registration but is able to continue to work in the care sector.

The SSSC report stated that she had apologised for her actions and attended training on equality and diversity, as well as social media awareness.

It added that no concerns had been raised about Gray's conduct since last year's incident, which was "isolated in nature."