Anger as Tories welcome internet trolls back to party
● Davidson accused of hypocrisy over decision to re-instate abuse councillors
The Scottish Conservatives were branded “disgraceful” by opponents yesterday after allowing two councillors suspended over anti-catholic and racist tweets back into the party fold.
Alastair Majury and Robert Davies have made “unreserved apologies” over the comments which were made on social media and emerged in the aftermath of May’s council elections.
The Stirling councillors have been warned by party chiefs that any repeat of the behaviour will “not be tolerated”. But SNP MSP James Dornan accused Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson of hypocrisy over the decision to allow the two councillors to remain in the party.
Mr Dornan said: “She is keen to call out racism, sexism and other unacceptable behaviour, except when her own colleagues are the guilty ones. But this issue goes beyond mere hypocrisy, and exposes the ugly reality of Davidson’s Tories – a party which offers a home to extremist views, turns a blind eye to prejudice and allows those who spout offensive nonsense to hold elected office.”
Mr Majury, who represents Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, made
controversial comments about independence voters and benefit claimants in a series of posts, as well as making an offensive comment about Catholics in 2012.
He stated: “Why is the Catholic Church against birth control? Because they’ll run out of children to molest.”
He also used the term “tarrier” – an offensive term for Catholics – in other posts on his Twitter page.
His party colleague, who represents the Forth and Endrick ward, posted a series of racists tweets appearing to compare black people to cannibals.
One of the posts in 2013 captioned an archive photo of black people waiting next to a plane with the caption: “No, I am not your lunch. I am your flight attendant.”
Another tweet read: “In the interests of security keep your loin cloths with you at all times. Spears go in the overhead locker.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “Having served a suspension, both councillors have been readmitted to the party after offering unreserved apologies for any offence caused.
“It has been made abundantly clear that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in future.”
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said it was “shocking” to the see the suspensions lifted. “They have made racist and sectarian remarks that have absolutely no place in our society,” she said.
A Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “How offensive do you have to be before Ruth Davidson decides that enough is enough?
“The decision to readmit these councillors despite their appalling behaviour shows the true heartlessness of the Scottish Conservatives.”
Green MSP Mark Ruskell tweeted: “Disgraceful, imagine a racist and an internet troll now deciding on @Stirlingcouncil school bullying and equalities strategies.”
The news comes just a month after Ms Davidson herself spoke out against the homophobic abuse she has suffered since becoming Tory leader in Scotland and fears that growing levels of online hate could put women off a career in politics.