Distorting reality

In his almost metronomic weekly rant against the SNP, Brian Wilson returns to the issues surrounding the Nike conference (“Sturgeon shows ruthless streak”, 23 May).

Mr Wilson is something of a one-trick pony when it comes to topics, and in my opinion, not very good with words. He is, however, quite adroit at distorting reality to his own ends. We saw this when he said he would not have attended the Scotland v France rugby match at Murrayfield if he’d known that there had been an outbreak of coronavirus “a few hundred yards up the road”.

Residents of Edinburgh are entitled to a wry smile at his grasp of geography, but his impression of imminent danger was duly, if dishonestly achieved regarding an event which happened more than two weeks previously.

Brian Wilson retains a considerable loyalty to the Labour Party, which is all the more commendable considering how little they did to retain his services when his parliamentaryseat figured in there drawing of boundaries. This may account for him attempting to defend the indefensible when he says, referring to journalist Sarah Smith, “No reasonable person believes Ms Smith accused her (Ms Sturgeon) of ‘enjoying’ the pandemic or its awful consequences.”

The fact is Ms Smith used that word. She said she’d made a mistake and apologised. Ms Sturgeon accepted the apology and said that for her “the matter was closed”. How “ruthless” was that? We all know why that is not good enough for Brian Wilson, but he is right in one aspect. As with the Nike conference, not a single life was lost.

GILL TURNER

Derby Street, Edinburgh