Fife Tory councillor urged to resign after England gym visit

Darren Watt under fire from opposition parties after posting selfie outside facility during Carlisle trip

A Fife councillor is facing a backlash after posting a selfie outside a gym in England, while facilities remain closed north of the border.

Conservative councillor Darren Watt defended his weekend trip to Carlisle, where he took to Twitter to post a picture of himself outside Bannatyne’s Health Club and Spa.

The keen gym user tweeted: “You can take our gyms, leisure centres and health clubs but you’ll never take our freedom!”

Mr Watt, who represents Cowdenbeath, was quickly condemned by people who accused him of being selfish and caring more about using the gym than public health.

Fife SNP councillor Alice McGarry branded Mr Watt an “eejit” and called on him to resign his seat.

She said: “The bairns go back to school next week but are being endangered by eejits like Tory councillor Darren Watt.

“He thinks it’s fine to go to a highrisk area in England simply to put two fingers up to the Scottish Government and he boasts about his idiocy, posting selfies and issuing press releases.

“He risks bringing the virus back to Fife. An absolute disgrace who ought to resign now.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week urged Scots not to travel to northwest England after a spike in coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and parts of Lancashire.

Mr Watt said the travel ban did not include Carlisle, where he went for a “much-needed rest” after months of home schooling his children, on top of carrying out his councillor duties.

He said he had chosen to use the gym only because it happened to be close to his hotel.

“I have been working tirelessly from home since March and I decided to take this very rare opportunity to get away for a couple of days for much-needed rest, recovery and relaxation but also to catch up on my backlog of emails and casework.

“I have been caring for and home schooling my children on top of my duties as a local councillor.

“This has proven to be extremely challenging considering we’ve all been stuck under the one roof for some time.

“I am visiting Carlisle as it is a beautiful and welcoming part of northwest England and is easily accessible with many great local amenities and attractions nearby, including a Bannatyne’s Health Club which is literally a stone’s throw from the hotel I’m staying in.”

“

He risks bringing the virus back to Fife. An absolute disgrace who ought to resign. COUNCILLOR ALICE MCGARRY

Picture: George McLuskie. Councillor Darren Watt said he went to Carlisle for a much-needed break.