DELEGATES at SNP conference yesterday supported English Scots for Yes after they condemned a “racist” banner displayed by protesters outside the conference hall in Edinburgh.
The banner, which said “England get out of Scotland”, was being held by controversial, independence supporter, Sean Clerkin.
Jan Goulding, spokesperson of English Scots for Yes, said many SNP members attending conference came out of the hall to ask the protesters to leave.
“This banner was utterly disgraceful and has no place in Scottish politics, or indeed Scotland. It absolutely does not represent the Yes movement, or indeed the SNP, many of whose members are English. Many delegates approached us at our stall inside the conference to offer their support for our group and to condemn the banner,” she said.
“At best, this banner is an ignorant confusion of England and English people with the institutions of Westminster. At worst, it is a blatant racist attack on English people in Scotland.”
Math Campbell-Sturgess, national convener of English Scots for Yes, added: “It is very important to note this couple of protesters are outside the SNP conference because they are simply not welcome inside, whereas our group has an official presence within the conference’s Exhibition Hall and have been made very welcome by all.”
Clerkin's banner resulted in the veteran protester being kicked out of the Scottish Resistance.
The banner’s words were at odds with the message inside the conference hall where speakers repeatedly underlined the importance of attracting people to move to Scotland from other parts of the UK, and from across Europe and the world.
Europe Minister Ben Macpherson was among those calling for Scotland to be a welcoming and attractive country from people from other parts of the UK, Europe and the rest of the world to come and settle.
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