Election hopeful apologises for online insults
A Scottish Conservative candidate standing in the Perth and Kinross local elections has had to apologise for derogatory remarks he made about the First Minister on social media.
In addition Ian James, who is seeking election to Perth and Kinross Council, has also had to apologise for comments he made concerning the term “African American”as well as controversial politician Enoch Powell, who achieved notoriety with his “rivers of blood”speech in 1968.
The Strathtay hopeful described Nicola Sturgeon as a“poison dwarf”and a “poisonous Oompah fr **** n Loompah in Facebook posts which have now been taken down.
Questioning the use of the term“African American”he also reportedly wrote:“Am I just being obtuse or can someone please tell me what an African American is? Is it an absolutely stupid politically correct euphemism for a black person?
“Surely you are either African or American, it is impossible to be both?”
Mr James also reportedly shared a video featuring Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League (EDL) and praised an anti-EU speech by the former Ukip MEP Steven Woolfe as“powerful words indeed”.
In another post he also apparently criticised the lack of leadership talent for political parties in the wake of last year’s Brexit vote, asking:“Where are the political characters like Churchill, Nye Bevan and Enoch Powell or even MargaretThatcher?”
An SNP spokesman said: “Ruth Davidson has already had to suspend three candidates for racist rants on social media.
“And now yet another Tory is promoting the views of hateful extremists in the EDL and launching personal attacks against the First Minister.
“Ruth Davidson really needs to get a handle on this. The Tories are quickly becoming Scotland’s Ukip.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said:“It’s clear that these posts are inappropriate and Mr James has recognised this. He apologises for any offence caused and has deleted the posts in question.” Ian James, pictured with Murdo Fraser MSP