‘Quislings’ councillor apologises... sort of

Dave Doogan sorry for ‘negative publicity’ – not anti-English rant

A senior councillor accused of making an anti-English rant about “quislings” and “red coats” has broken his silence with a public apology.

But Dave Doogan, the depute leader of the SNPled Perth and Kinross Council, has not said sorry for the remarks. Instead, he apologised to council officers and Provost Liz Grant for attracting “negative publicity” and extra work.

Mr Doogan said yesterday’s full council meeting – nine weeks after his speech, delivered in Gaelic – was his first chance to properly address the matter.

Councillor Ian Campbell, who has called for Mr Doogan to retract his comments, was shut down at the meeting as he tried to suggest a “wider apology for the people of Perth and Kinross”.

A senior SNP councillor at the centre of a political storm over a perceived anti-English tirade has publicly apologised.

Dave Doogan faced strong criticism from opposition leaders for making references to “red coats” and “quislings” during a debate on the Gaelic language.

The depute leader of the SNP-led Perth and Kinross Council has now broken his silence on the controversy, and apologised for causing trouble for council officers – but he has not said sorry for the comments themselves.

Instead, he apologised to council officers and Provost Liz Grant for bringing about an extra workload and “negative publicity”.

Tory councillor Ian Campbell was shut down at the meeting as he attempted to call for Mr Doogan to make a “wider apology for the people of Perth and Kinross”.

The speech, made nine weeks ago, was raised in Holyrood, leading First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to condemn any comments which seek “to divide people on the basis of their ethnicity”.

An extract of his speech, which was delivered in Gaelic and later translated by Mr Doogan, read: “Let us not reflect on concerns that we have been under the heel of foreign influence and power for over 300 years.

“The island of Britain is no longer subject to the actions of quislings who may seek to see smaller cultures extinguished on an island of coffins by red coats.”

Reading a prepared statement to yesterday afternoon’s full council meeting, Mr Doogan said he spoke out, while seconding a motion at talks on February 22.

He said he “happily” gave a translation of his words to local media.

“Soon after, the original context of my speech and the historical references contained within were altered completely,” he went on.

“This was much debated, which had the effect of causing officers of this council, and you personally Provost, all manner of discussions, causing additional work and inconvenience.”

Conservative councillor Ian Campbell, who launched a cross-party bid to get Mr Doogan to retract his remarks, said the comments were a contravention of standing orders.

However, Mr Campbell was stopped by Mrs Grant who said his own comments were not applicable to the agenda item, which was a review of the minutes of the February 22 meeting.

Soon after, the original context of my speech and the historical references contained within were altered completely. COUNCILLOR DAVE DOOGAN