MP poses on Saddam’s throne – and sparks fury
A SCOTTISH Conservative MP has been accused of ‘trivialising’ Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship after posting pictures on social media while on a fact-finding visit to Iraq.
Ross Thomson, who represents Aberdeen South, joked about channelling his ‘inner dictator’ during a visit to the toppled Iraqi leader’s infamous military parade ground in Baghdad.
Pictures posted on a private Facebook group obtained by the Herald newspaper show Mr Thomson pretending to hold the Victory Arch – a symbol of Saddam’s brutal rule – in his hands as well as sitting on the dictator’s throne.
Alongside a smiling emoji wearing sunglasses, Mr Thomson wrote: ‘Another terrific day in Iraq. I was able to channel my inner dictator with a visit to Saddam’s military parade ground The Swords of Qadisiyah (Victory Arch) and then sitting on Saddam’s throne at the British embassy.’ The MP later said he did not intend to cause offence with the post.
But Aberdeenshire East Nationalist MSP Gillian Martin said: ‘Any politician appearing to glorify or trivialise the heinous atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein and his regime should be ashamed of themselves.’
She added: ‘Ross Thomson may try and pass this off as a piece of ill-judged buffoonery – but his behaviour is a disgrace. The Tories should take swift and appropriate action.’
Mr Thomson said: ‘There was absolutely no intention whatsoever to cause offence. My views on Iraq and the value of UK intervention in the region are very clear.
‘Britain and our allies liberated Iraqis from the prison that was life under Saddam. It was the right thing to do.
‘I find it astonishing that Gillian Martin and the SNP, who refused to back UK action in the face of a heinous chemical weapon attack in Syria this week, want to make an issue of this.’