MSP distances himself from social media post
BARRHEAD’S MSP has condemned a social media post by his father which depicted the Star of David linked with a Swastika.
Tom Arthur, who represents Renfrewshire South for the SNP, said the post fell “far short” of his stance against discrimination.
Police have confirmed they are investigating the reported “offensive content.”
The post was shared by Mr Arthur’s father, also Tom, on April 1 – the same day the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into effect.
Alongside the intertwined symbols, it included the words “Nazism = Zionism.”
Zionism is the movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East but it is often argued that anti-Zionism is used as a form of antisemitism – hostility and prejudice against Jews.
The SNP said disciplinary action would have been taken against Mr Arthur Snr had he not resigned his party membership.
His son, who is also Minister for Community Wealth and Public
Finance, posted a message on X to distance himself from the controversial post.
Mr Arthur, whose constituency includes Uplawmoor and parts of Neilston and Newton Mearns, stated: “I stand against discrimination of any kind. The online post shared by a family member falls far short of that position and I condemn the views expressed.
“Six months on from Hamas’s barbaric terrorist attack which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 innocent civilians, I will continue to call for the immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and for a permanent two state solution to pave the way towards peace.”
A spokeswoman for the SNP said it “stands firmly against antisemitism.”
She added: “The social media post is unacceptable and would have been subject to disciplinary investigation had the individual concerned not resigned their party membership with immediate effect.”
A police spokesperson said: “We received a complaint which is being investigated as a communications offence.”