SNP official is forced to apologise to Tory MSP for online smear
‘Unacceptable behaviour’
AN SNP councillor has apologised after falsely claiming a Tory MSP told children that ‘immigrants ruin our education system’.
Victoria Harper has privately said sorry to Alexander Burnett over the claims she made on Facebook.
But the SNP has been criticised for refusing to apologise publicly for the Aberdeenshire councillor’s statements, which were widely shared on the social media site.
The ‘fabricated’ comments related to conversations between Mr Burnett and school pupils who were visiting Holyrood.
The Scottish Daily Mail revealed details of the row last week.
Miss Harper alleged that the Aberdeenshire MSP attacked immigrants during a questionand-answer session with the class, from The Gordon Schools in Huntly, and also said food banks are ‘a good thing’.
But the school’s Rector raised concerns with Aberdeenshire Council after being alerted to her post – and after checking details with staff who were present.
A Scottish Conservative source said: ‘This fabricated version of events was shared widely on social media, so it is only fair that any apology should also be made in a very public manner.
‘It was an obvious attempt to discredit a member of the Scottish parliament. It is totally unacceptable behaviour, particularly for an elected politician.
‘Making a private apology suggests that the SNP is trying to brush this under the carpet.’
In a Facebook post – which Mr Burnett’s staff said was ‘defamatory’ and a ‘total fabrication’ – Miss Harper wrote: ‘Alexander Burnett met with children from The Gordon Schools during a trip around Holyrood. While answering their questions he said that food banks are a good thing but are caused by SNP failings.
‘When asked about Brexit he said that it is good immigration will be getting sorted out because immigrants ruin our education system as well as contribute to food bank use.
‘Some plucky lad asked if Scotland could be an independent country, to which Burnett responded by saying it wasn’t a question and that we are better together sharing resources.
‘When asked about Westminster and the oil industry he stated the SNP are to blame for the current downturn in oil.
‘He also suggested he is part of the Brexit negotiations.’
It is understood that after the Mail revealed details of the row last week, Miss Harper sent an email to Mr Burnett stating that she regretted making the comments, which she has removed, after relying on a second-hand account of the school visit.
It is believed she accepted that her claims were not supported by witnesses. She has also offered to post Mr Burnett’s account of the Q&A on her Facebook page.
Richard Thomson, the SNP’s leader on Aberdeenshire Council, said: ‘Cllr Harper has now been in touch with Mr Burnett’s office regarding this matter. We will be making no further comment.’
Mr Burnett said: ‘The most unfortunate thing about this whole episode is that it centres around a school visit.
‘I regularly welcome groups to the parliament and I would not want for any future trip to be in any way tainted by this.
‘Elected politicians should be setting a better example for our children on social media.’