Parties unite to condemn banner
But march organisers rule out a ban
Both SNP and Conservative politicians have condemned the display of a ‘Tory scum out’ banner during Saturday’s proindependence march through Stirling.
The banner, thought to be linked to ultra-nationalist organisation Siol nan Gaidheal, was carried by activists during the procession from King’s Park to the Battle of Bannockburn site.
Conservative Party members said the banner was the same, or similar, to the ones used in protests outside the constituency offices of Stirling Tory MP Stephen Kerr in March and his Ochil and South Perthshire colleague Luke Graham last month.
Stirling SNP MSP Bruce Crawford and the party’s deputy leader Keith Brown, MSP for Clacks and Dunblane, both attended the march, which attracted an estimated 20,000 people.
Mr Kerr tweeted a picture of Mr Crawford with activists at the event, alongside another featuring the banner, and commented: “So this is the face of nationalism today and what my constituents are putting up with.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson later said: “We completely respect the right for people to march and demonstrate but we are appalled at the hateful language and attitudes on display, something both our MSPs are endorsing by their presence.
“Nearly 20,000 people voted Scottish Conservative at the last election and to label them all as scum is a disgrace. We should expect a lot better from our elected representatives.”
Neil Mackay, spokesman for All Under One Banner who organised the march, said that while the Siol nan Gaidheal logo was on the banner it was not owned by them.
He added: “We are an allinclusive organisation.
“We don’t promote racism or bigotry and we are organising public processions and anyone who wants independence for Scotland is welcome to join us.
“There are exceptions – we would not have Nazis – but we do understand where people who are critical of the banner are coming from. We encourage things and discourage things but when it comes to imposing a ban that is another thing altogether.”
A spokesperson for Stirling SNP said there was “no place for words such as scum being used in civilised debate and political activity”.
He added: “Siol nan Gaidheal are banned from the SNP and people who are involved in that organisation are not permitted to be SNP members.
“There were an estimated 20,000 people in attendance at the march organised by All Under One Banner on Saturday, which was a positive day with a real family atmosphere.
“It is unfortunate that a small handful of people engaged in this sort of demonstration, which does nothing to help the cause.”
Mr Kerr himself came under fire for his tweet from one of the people pictured alongside Mr Crawford. In a letter to the Observer Joy Macnaughton wrote: “I am angry he has reused a photograph when he had no permission to do so and then has placed the image alongside a banner held by those banned individuals.
“Has this no man no shame when he misrepresents facts?”
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “The pictures were taken on the same day, same event, same march.”
For a full report on the march turn to pages eight and nine. See also letters on page 30.