A SCOTTISH Tory MP has come under fire for saying that, if he became Prime Minister for the day, his priority would be "tougher enforcement against Gypsy Travellers".
Moray MP Douglas Ross made the remark in an online Meet the MPs interview that gained attention on Youtube.
He later tweeted that he wanted action against those who "flout local planning procedures with illegal encampments", however his Moray constituency does not have any legal halting sites.
Traveller and human rights groups have accused Ross of attacking a minority group already facing persecution.
Ross responded, stating: "The settled community continually complain that Gypsy Travellers receive preferential treatment, whether it is with regard to planning decisions or just the way they take over a piece of land or lay by and then often leave it in a significant mess which has to be cleaned up at a cost to the local tax payer."
Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie expressed surprise that this would be Ross' priority. He stated: "He didn't choose improving health, education or housing, he didn't seek to eradicate poverty, work for a better planet or peace.
"Rather he chose to attack an already beleaguered minority, our gypsy travellers."
The Traveller's Times, speaking to openDemocracy, stated: "Blatant displays of anti-gypsyism by those meant to protect our rights only serves to contribute to the high levels of intolerance and racism directed towards Gypsies and Travellers in society.
"This is a shame as the Scottish government, led by MSPs in the Scottish National Party, is starting to make inroads into the institutional racism and lack of places to stop faced by many Scottish Travellers in Mr Ross' own back yard. Scottish Travellers now know who not to vote for."
Amnesty International's Scottish director, Naomi McAuliffe, told BBC Scotland that "Douglas Ross' attitude is an example of why the community is still suffering direct discrimination."
SNP MSP Christina McKelvie said: "These comments are disgraceful and shed further light on the true character of Ruth Davidson’s party.
"This is the week in which the ugly reality of Ruth Davidson's Tories has been fully exposed. It is 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.
“Ruth Davidson’s continued silence is utterly unsustainable – she should speak out and discipline Mr Ross, or tell us why she disagrees with Amnesty International.”
This latest controvery to hit the Scottish Conservatives comes following the re-admittance into the party of two councillors who were suspended for racist and offensive comments, and Ruth Davidson's refusal to speak to the press in the aftermath.
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