Outrage after SNP candidates launch vile attacks on rivals
Unionists denounced as ‘traitors and ‘quislings’
NICOLA Sturgeon has been accused of failing to act on vile taunts and offensive behaviour by a series of her party’s election candidates.
A Scottish Daily Mail investigation has unearthed controversies involving several of the people selected by the SNP to stand in next month’s local elections.
They include candidates calling pro-Union rivals ‘traitors’ and ‘quislings’, questioning if No voters have the right to sing Scotland’s unofficial anthem, and posting offensive messages about the Westminster terror attack.
The disclosures come after the SNP leader on Tuesday told her supporters to debate the issue of independence with ‘courtesy, empathy and respect’.
Among the key examples found by the Mail were:
John Cooke, an Aberdeen City Council candidate who, on the day of last month’s terror attack on Westminster in which six people died and 50 were injured, posted a link to a news story about figures showing Arctic ice had fallen to a record winter low alongside the message: ‘This dwarfs even today’s awful events.’
Moira Shemilt, a candidate in West Lothian who called one pro-Union supporter a ‘quisling’ the day after the 2014 independence referendum and described then Labour
‘Shocking revelations’
MP Ian Davidson as a ‘traitor’ for voting No.
Graeme Horne, a candidate in South Lanarkshire who tweeted that only those who voted Yes ‘have the right to sing Flower of Scotland’.
Angus candidate Bill Duff, who told Tory MSP Murdo Fraser via Twitter to ‘get on with the day job’ when Mr Fraser called for a Holyrood debate on independence to be stopped in light of the ‘shocking news’ from Westminster. Mr Duff later apologised and deleted the post.
Other Nationalist candidates have been embroiled in rows over posting pornography online, making pro-IRA comments and ‘anti-English’ abuse.
Scottish Labour business manager James Kelly said: ‘These are shocking revelations. To call those who oppose independence quislings and question the patriotism of those of us who want to stay in the UK is unacceptable.’
On Tuesday, Miss Sturgeon called for people to ‘respect’ the validity of the views of those who express ‘anxiety’ about the issue of Scotland leaving the UK. She added: ‘I will ensure we make our case with courtesy, empathy and respect.’
Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont said: ‘Although the First Minister likes to talk about having a “respectful” debate, these comments are anything but respectful.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘We hoped that the First Minister’s call for courtesy, empathy and respect would be heeded, but sadly Labour and the Tories seem unable to rise to that challenge.’