Backlash over SNP smear bid
THE SNP was at the centre of a deepening row last night after senior figures were accused of a botched smear attempt on a nurse who hit out at Nicola Sturgeon during a live BBC TV debate.
Claire Austin, who was in the audience on Sunday night, launched an impassioned attack on the First Minister over NHS pay, claiming she had been forced to use a food bank.
Within seconds rumours began circulating online that she was married to a Tory councillor – which later proved to be false.
However, SNP Westminster candidate Joanna Cherry, QC, briefed the media with the
THE SNP was at the centre of a deepening row last night after senior figures were accused of a botched smear attempt on a nurse who hit out at Nicola Sturgeon during a live BBC TV debate.
Claire Austin, who was in the audience on Sunday night, launched an impassioned attack on the First Minister over NHS pay, claiming she had been forced to use a food bank.
Within seconds rumours began circulating online that she was married to a Tory councillor – which later proved to be false.
However, SNP Westminster candidate Joanna Cherry, QC, briefed the media with the false allegation – seemingly believing the social media accusations.
Although Miss Cherry has apologised for her comments, it has been alleged that she was encouraged by SNP Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman to repeat the online claims. The allegation is denied by the SNP.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who was sitting next to the pair in the BBC’s spin room while the debate was going on, yesterday claimed he overheard their conversation.
During the debate, Miss Freeman uploaded a picture of herself and Miss Cherry with the caption: ‘Spin girls ready to always set the record straight when the Tories dodge scrutiny.’
Miss Austin’s attack on Miss Sturgeon over NHS pay and resources was the stand-out moment of the 90-minute debate. In a heated exchange with the First Minister, the charge nurse said: ‘You have no idea how demoralising it is to work in the NHS.’
When she was interviewed by the BBC after the debate, Miss Cherry lashed out at the NHS Lothian nurse.
She said: ‘I’m advised that the nurse who spoke is in fact the wife of a Conservative councillor – so she’s probably best placed to know she would be considerably worse off south of the Border.’
The rumour started after social media users found a picture of her appearing on a previous BBC Question Time show where she sat next to a councillor. However, Miss Austin denied the claim and it was later found to be false.
Yesterday, Mr Fraser said he heard a conversation between Miss Cherry and Miss Freeman before the SNP’s Edinburgh South West candidate briefed the media.
He said: ‘I was sitting alongside Joanna Cherry as she claimed on the BBC that the nurse was the wife of a Tory councillor. She was being urged to say so by the Scottish Government’s welfare minister Jeane Freeman.
‘It was a disgraceful episode and Nicola Sturgeon and her party should be thoroughly ashamed.’
Miss Cherry later apologised, tweeting: ‘Sorry I was wrong about Twitter rumours. Entirely right that your voice is heard.’
Miss Sturgeon has now been urged to launch an investigation into who sanctioned the politician’s outburst, which came as Miss Austin was attacked by dozens of social media users. However, speaking on the campaign trail in Blairgowrie with Pete Wishart, the SNP leader said she was standing by her candidate.
‘In terms of Jo Cherry, of course I have confidence. She made a mistake, an honest mistake and apologised for that,’ Miss Sturgeon said.
‘In terms of the wider social media reaction, I don’t think it’s acceptable to make judgements about somebody’s background.’
At the Scottish Labour manifesto launch yesterday, party leader Kezia Dugdale hit out at the SNP for using ‘dirty tricks’ to smear someone who had raised valid concerns. She said: ‘The pundits are always quick to talk about the winners and losers from TV debates. But we all know who won last night: the nurses and teachers who shamed Nicola Sturgeon.
‘And what was the response of the SNP when confronted with that reality last night?
‘They started a smear campaign. They tried their usual dirty tricks. But it won’t work this time because more and more people are wise to the underhand ways of the SNP.’
The Scottish Liberal Democrats
‘A disgraceful episode’ Jeane Freeman @JeaneF1MSP ‘Spin Girls’ ready to always set the record straight when the Tories dodge scrutiny #VoteSNP #GE17 #BBCLeaders Debate ‘Their usual dirty tricks’
also stepped into the row, saying Miss Sturgeon must launch an investigation into the incident.
Lib Dem General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘The First Minister must launch an immediate investigation into who sanctioned this public mauling.’
Yesterday, the Poverty Alliance published an online blog post condemning the treatment of Miss Austin.
The organisation said: ‘We want to raise the fact that by attacking someone online for saying that they have had to go to a foodbank to feed themselves or their family, we reduce the likelihood of the people experiencing poverty speaking out.’ Graham Grant and Comment – Page 16