ANGRY staff at a major Greenock car dealership claim that an unwell senior colleague was allowed to return to work while awaiting a Covid test - which then came back positive.

Workers say that 'lives have been put at risk' because the man returned to the branch with virus symptoms before receiving his test result.

The Arnold Clark employee was described by witnesses as looking 'ill' and 'dreadful' as staff worried about the disease spreading within the Pottery Street branch.

The Tele has been told that the man and another worker both tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

Arnold Clark has not denied that one of them continued to work at the Greenock Ford outlet after developing symptoms and before he knew the result of his virus test.

A number of sources have told the Telegraph that he was seen talking to customers within the building.

One said: "There is a lot of anger.

"The fear is that the person who came back in could easily have spread Covid to customers and colleagues."

Another source said: "He came in when he knew he had symptoms.

"This guy has potentially put lives at risk.

"He clearly wasn't well, he looked ill and another person commented that he looked dreadful.

"He had symptoms on Monday and he was seen speaking to customers."

The source added: "People are pretty angry right now."

Sources said that both staff members had a test on Monday and the other on Wednesday.

Both are now understood to be self isolating.

The Telegraph put what we were told to Arnold Clark, including the claim that a symptomatic manager was still working at the branch prior to receiving confirmation that he was Covid-positive.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "Our priority, as always, is the safety of both our employees and customers.

"Our robust safety procedures mean that as soon as we're aware of a positive case of Covid-19, a thorough deep clean of the site is arranged.

"Any staff member that does test positive, or experiences symptoms, is supported by our People Team and asked to remain at home and to follow government guidance."

The Arnold Clark spokeswoman added: "Since our reopening in June, we've continued to adapt our processes to ensure customers have a range of contactless ways to interact with us.

"Our safety measures in branch, including one-way walkways, desk screens, sanitisation stations and reduced numbers of employees on site, allow any customers that do visit any our branches do so in a Covid-secure way."