Tory second-in-command under attack over ‘offensive’ war tweet
A Scottish Government minister has called on Ruth Davidson to take action against her deputy leader over a “crass and offensive” comment on the Second World War.
Scottish Conservative second-in-command Jackson Carlaw tweeted to mark the anniversary of VE Day.
He wrote: “73 years ago today Nazi Germany surrendered, bringing an end to the European conflict in WW2. Not one time did people ask whether those defending our small island nation were from Gloucester or Glasgow.
“It didn’t matter. We were one people standing alone.” His comments have sparked anger online and led to Veterans Minister Keith Brown calling for Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson to make Mr Carlaw apologise. Mr Brown said: “Jackson Carlaw’s crass comments are not only historically inaccurate – many will find them deeply insulting.
“Of course it is right that we mark the bravery of Britain’s servicemen and women – and citizens – in helping to defeat the Nazis, but to casually disregard the sacrifices made by people across occupied Europe, and those from the Soviet Union, the United States and from around the world is both crass and offensive.” But Mr Carlaw appeared defiant yesterday, tweeting: “One of the quiet joys of a holiday Monday is muting all the simply ghastly and largely dismal cybernats.”