Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has apologised after suggesting he appeared as though he had suffered a stroke.
The comment came at the end of a press conference that was being streamed online.
Speaking to a photographer, he said she had captured him in what he describes as a "stroke pose", adding: "I looked like I had a stroke".
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) said the remarks were "deeply disappointing", stressing that a "stroke is not a punchline or a 'pose'.
"It is a life-threatening medical emergency, that has lasting physical, emotional and social impact, on individuals and the people who care about them," a spokesperson said.
The charity called for a meeting with Sarwar to “ensure comments like today’s are never repeated”.
The spokesperson added: “To diminish that experience, especially from someone who has just called for major healthcare reform, which for stroke is badly needed, shows a worrying lack of understanding of what stroke truly means.
“People affected by stroke deserve better. Their experiences should be recognised with sensitivity, respect and accuracy.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Labour leader said: “Anas Sarwar wants to offer an unreserved apology for today’s comments.”