MOTION

A Holyrood spat has broken out over the royal baby after a Tory MSP was accused of issuing a “fawning” motion in Parliament by Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie.

Alexander Stewart, a list MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, lodged a motion congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their third child this week, a baby boy, who has yet to be named.

But it prompted a stinging response from the Glasgow MSP, who lodged an amendment accusing politicians of “fetishising privilege”.

Mr Stewart’s motion states that the “Parliament congratulates their Royal Highnesses, the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, on the birth of their son on 23 April, 2018 which was St George’s Day.”

It adds that “the prince was present for the birth and that the countess and her child are both doing well”.

The motion concludes that the Scottish Parliament “acknowledges the new-born boy, who will be fifth in line to the throne, is still to be officially named, and sends its very best wishes to all.”

But Mr Harvie has lodged an amendment, adding his congratulations to “thousands of children born in the UK on the same day, but professes profound dismay that, it understands, an estimated 30 per cent of them will be born into poverty”.

The Glasgow MSP added that this “scandalous level of poverty and inequality in society is unlikely to be corrected until politicians and media outlets stop fetishising privilege and fawning over those who enjoy it”.

Mr Harvie’s intervention was described as a “truth bomb” by fellow Green MSP Ross Greer.

The Greens co-leader later stepped up his attack on Twitter, adding: “It was a Tory MSP who won the race to lodge the first obsequious motion in awe of the royal baby.

“So I thought I’d lodge an amendment, helpfully pointing out the context.”

But Mr Stewart responded: “Most people in Scotland will be appalled at his toxic tone in response to my motion.”

The Green politician’s stance met with a mixed response on social media yesterday where it was retweeted almost 1,000 times.

Deirdre Mcintosh said: “As a former midwife I have to agree Patrick. I am happy for all new parents and wish their children happy and healthy lives.”

But the intervention met with short shift on Twitter from user historywoman.

“Another small-minded and bitter outpouring from the leader of the party that amassed only 13,000 votes.”