LEADER ROSS IN TWEET STORM
Council chief blasted over online post
South Lanarkshire Council’s leader has come under fire – for a cheeky tweet about a Labour politician.
An account belonging to the SNP’S John Ross responded to a tweet that suggested Jackie Baillie MSP was a “proven liar” on Friday night.
The reply read: “Jackie Baillie, epitomises everything that the labours branch office in Scotland stands for Awa an bile yer he’d wuman ye talk pure mince.”
The tweet was seized upon by rival politicians and Twitter users, including newly-elected Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Gerard Killen who retweeted the post.
He added: “I’m sure @jmacross46 had a lapse in judgement, momentarily forgot he’s leader of S Lan Council & would like to apologise for this comment.”
Some Twitter users suggested the tweet was sexist, while Jackie Baillie herself said it amounted to “personal abuse”.
Ms Baillie, Labour MSP for Dumbarton, said: “Personal abuse should have no place in our political debate.
“Councillor Ross would do well to reflect on the comments of those in his own party who have called for SNP members to treat people with decency and respect, including on social media.
“As a council leader, he should know better.”
Hamilton North and East councillor, and South Lanarkshire Labour Group’s business manager, Davie Mclachlan, was also among those to condemn the tweet.
He said: “I was rather taken aback when I read the tweet from Councillor Ross. I would urge him to exercise some restraint when commenting on a public platform.
“I am sure there will be many concerned constituents in South Lanarkshire wondering if he is the right person to be leading us through the next round of savings.”
The tweet was also criticised by the Scottish Conservatives. A spokesman said: “These comments are clearly disrespectful and fall beneath the standard people would expect of the leader of the council.”
The Advertiser attempted to contact Councillor Ross for comment, but it is understood he is on holiday.
A spokesman for the SNP group said: “The story Councillor Ross was referring to was the assertion that Scotland’s growth rate – four times the rate of the rest of the UK – was somehow a bad news story.
“The fact is, as a result of action taken by the SNP in government, we are seeing an improving picture across the country – the economy is growing, the number of people in employment is rising and unemployment is at historic lows.”