ON TWITTER

#RICHARDLEONARD

A Tory MP from the north of England has been criticised for a tweet blaming Richard Leonard, leader of Scottish Labour’s accent as the reason for the party’s decline. Dehenna Davison, who represents Bishop Auckland, near Durham, was labelled racist by a SNP councillor and criticised by her own party for the remark.

@Bloobank wrote: “And your problem with that IS?”

@Catsmithmp tweeted: “I thought you guys were meant to be a unionist party? Why shouldn’t someone who was born in one part of the UK but makes their home in another part of the UK be able to engage in politics and be a representative?.”

@djdave1926 wrote: “I’m Conservative (and Scottish) and I like him. Mind you, us Scots like anyone who holds Sturgeons feet to the fire!”

@Del_ivered said: “I don’t agree with his politics but as a Scot I find Leonard’s accent a refreshing change from the frankly embarrassing street‘Scoats’ on display in the sad Shortbread Senate! Britain without borders.”

@no1_nicola tweeted: “It’s got Sweet FA to do with it. The fact is for as long as any politician hangs on to the union, T hey will never be relevant nor appeal to your average Scottish voter. Add that to the fact that the @ thesnp are far more to the left than @scottishlabour could ever dream to be. @Jeanlucpicard3 wrote: “But unfortunately trying to fight a nationalist who desires all things to be Scottish, when your an English man, feeds right into Sturgeons anti-english narrative which her base will love.”

#NEILOLIVER

Historian and broadcaster Neil Oliver has spoken out about his “war of attrition” with a section of Scottish nationalists and said he would continue to “stand up to bullies in order to set an example to his children”. @Vodka2whisky wrote: “Some of the behaviour towards Neil and public figures like him for questioning the idea of independence is disgusting. The lack of condemnation from senior nationalists shows they are quite willing to let the abuse him and others receive ferment and increase.”

@sanshee01 tweeted: “Like JK he’s too smart and too big for these numpties to silence. Not even got a ‘counter ’ Neil Oliver to stick up for them. Oh the paucity.”