GALLOWAY’S RACIST RECRUIT
Anger at firebrand’s party candidate
a candidate for george galloway’s new Scottish political party has been exposed as a racist.
Jean Mathieson “loved” a social media post calling George Floyd a “black lowlife” and supports far- right thug Tommy Robinson.
A candidate for George Galloway’s new Scottish political party is a racist who supports far-right thug Tommy Robinson.
The former Labour MP’s Alliance 4 Unity group wants to take on the SNP at the Holyrood elections in May to combat rising support for independence.
But the Sunday Mai l has uncovered a string of hate-filled social media posts f rom a candidate set to join Galloway on the South Scotland regional list.
When confronted, Jean Mathieson insisted she
“stands by her beliefs” after “loving” a tweet calling George Floyd a “black lowlife pile of s**t”. Floyd’s death triggered demonstrations across the world in May after a Minneapolis policeman was filmed kneeling on his neck as he pleaded: “I can’t breathe.”
In another post, Mathieson said: “Wait until they find out I agree with a few of Tommy Robinson’s views. I’ll be crucified.” SShe has also voiced support ffor the far-right English Defence LLeague and called those who eendorse Islamic halal meat ppreparation “savages”.
In April, she complained about “foforeigners” getting jobs in the UKUK, stating: “I assume a lot of fruit anand veg growers in the UK are bitbitter Remainers.
“We all know tens of thousands of British people applied to harvest the produce but still the foreigners are employed f irst. Shameful.”
Mathieson, 53, claims to be a radio DJ at her local station, Cumbernauld FM, in Lanarkshire. But a spokesman said: “She no longer has any connection with us. She was a presenter in the past but expressed a number of concerning views.”
Mathieson also once told her followers that Extinction Rebellion climate protesters need a “good kicking” and suggested pol ice in London had been infiltrated by “glitter fairies”.
Opposition parties have condemned the comments and questioned why Galloway is prepared to share a platform with Mathieson.
Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said: “George Gal loway and his band of misf its are an embarrassment to unionism.
“I ’ m conf ident they’ l l be
resoundingly rejected by voters next year, just as Galloway was the last time he tried to relaunch his long-dead career here.”
The SNP said: “Six years ago, George Galloway publicly said ‘please shoot me’ if he was ever seen standing under a Union Jack shoulder- to- shoulder with a Conservative. Now he’s formed this party with candidates whose world views appear diametrically opposed to what he has previously stated he believes.
“It’s further proof positive that he has sold out on his principles in a vain attempt to remain relevant.”
Galloway refused to condemn Mathieson’s online outbursts.
He said: “Our candidates are a broadly- based group and the stronger for it. We have socialists, liberals and conservatives in our team and most have never stood for election before.
“Al l rough edges wi l l be smoothed by the time of the election and stunning candidate announcements are in the pipeline.
“We are soldiers and anti-war leaders, fox hunters and hunt saboteurs, Celtic and Rangers supporters, left, right and centre.
“We unify them all. And we seek to unify the anti-separatist majority in Scotland.”
Mathieson apologised for some offensive tweets, including the one referring to George Floyd. But she claimed a smear campaign was being run against her.
She said: “I’m aware a small minority of my tweets from my personal account have been picked up by SNP supporters and shared around Nationalist echo chambers in a poor attempt to discredit me and paint me as being controversial.
“During the period of time those tweets were sent, I was incredibly frustrated that the SNP were not being held to account for their disgraceful record on health, education and fiscal propriety. I’d also willingly admit that I was angry with the lack of action from any of the so- called opposition parties in Holyrood
“At this point, I did indeed feel that, while being a metaphorical loose cannon, at least Tommy Robinson, for all his many faults, was attempting to have his voice heard.
“I’m aware this is an attempt to smear me and claim I’m supported by racists or right-wing followers but also under s t and my forthright tweets left me open to this false accusation. I utterly refute the suggestion but fully understand that three tweets in particular have allowed me to be a victim of this crude smear tactic.
“While I apologise unreservedly for any offence I may have caused, I feel it is important to stress that I stand by my beliefs.”
When given a second chance to comment on Mathieson’s racism, a spokesman for Alliance 4 Unity said: “We wouldn’t have expressed ourselves thus but the comments were long before we knew her. She knows better now.” Galloway launched his party in the face of polls showing rising support for independence. A survey carried out by YouGov earlier this month found 53 per cent of people were now in favour of breaking away f rom the UK. Galloway fa ce s criticism over a number of his new Al l iance 4 Unity col leagues. Deputy leader Jamie Blackett is an Old Etonian and classmate of Boris Johnson who owns an estate on the Solway Firth and is a supporter of fox hunting.
Meanwhile, Professor Alan Sked, who is expected to stand on the Highlands and Islands list, is the original founder of Ukip.
Gal loway wi l l only stand candidates on Holyrood’s regional lists rather than in constituencies.
But other parties have rejected forming any pact with the group.
Labour leader Richard Leonard revealed he was contacted by Galloway but was not interested in an alliance. Scottish Lib Dems leader Willie Rennie is also understood to have rejected the idea and the Scottish Conservatives have ruled out any agreement.
Tory minister Michael Gove is said to be drawing up Downing Street’s strategy for the Union.