MSP’s ‘most Scots hate English’ rant
Demands for apology after Twitter football storm
A NATIONALIST MSP is under pressure to apologise after appearing to suggest that most Scots ‘hate the english’. Outspoken backbencher John Mason was involved in a heated Twitter debate with football fans, in which he defended a crackdown on sectarianism and argued that racism ‘tends to be used more loosely now than used to be’.
He said courts accept there is racism against ‘Scots english’ and said the irish and Catholics have been ‘discriminated against historically’.
One Twitter user, a rangers fan, then asked Mr Mason: ‘So what do you think is more prevalent in Scotland? Anti-irish racism or anti-english racism?’ The MSP for glasgow Shettleston stunned observers by replying: ‘i think some people hate the irish more than most people hate the english.’
last night, a Scottish labour spokesman said: ‘This type of language is completely unacceptable, it is incredible it has been used by a Nationalist MSP and he should apologise.’
Other Twitter users said they were outraged and Scots author Muriel gray posted: ‘An actual real-life, salaried MSP writes “most people hate the english”.’
However, she later wrote: ‘Clumsy, but not meant to be mendacious as it reads.’
Others also insisted Mr Mason’s choice of words was clumsy, rather than offensive.
Church of Scotland minister Alistair May tweeted: ‘i think he was admirably trying to highlight sectarianism at rangers. illchosen words, not sinister.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Mr Mason was replying to a question on the prevalence of different forms of prejudice in society and made the point that racism comes in many forms.’
The Twitter debate that led to his comment was started by a fan who complained about an SNP advert at a local ground.
Mr Mason, a practising Baptist, defended the government’s controversial anti-sectarian legislation, which introduced prison sentences of up to five years for ‘offensive behaviour’ in or around football stadiums.
Mr Mason tweeted: ‘irish were subject to offensive behaviour at some football games. Act is here to protect irish.’
Mr Mason is the latest Nationalist politician to cause controversy on Twitter. last month, MP Paul Monaghan appeared to suggest Scots should get cheaper insurance deals than the english because their homes are at less risk of flooding.
earlier this month, Nicola Sturgeon told independence supporters to stop abusing No voters online.