SNP MP Chris Law has called for a full apology from Scottish Tory Ross Thomson for remarks Thomson made while visiting Iraq on a fact-finding mission
Aberdeen South MP Thomson posted pictures of himself posing with The Swords of Qadisiyah in Baghdad and sitting on Saddam Hussein’s former throne on social media. He claimed he was channeling his “inner dictator”, remarks met with outrage from opposition MPs, service personnel and their families and the general public. Thomson later said he did not intend to cause offence.
In a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May and Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, Law, the SNP’s spokesperson for international development, asked Thomson’s bosses to make him apologise and asked what measures the Tories will put in place to stop repeat incidents of inappropriate behaviour abroad.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel