GLASGOW Labour MP Paul Sweeney has apologised over a jibe made about Nicola Sturgeon online.
A video of the First Minister gained attention on Saturday after she was hit on the back of the head by a tennis ball during a friendly game of swingball with former SNP MP Anne McLaughlin.
Nicola Sturgeon gets whacked on the head with a tennis ball by a former MP 🎾 pic.twitter.com/KdvivTqhyA
— Paul Hutcheon (@paulhutcheon) September 14, 2019
Visibly suprised, Sturgeon laughs off the accident in front of a crowd of onlookers after the wicked serve from McLaughlin.
However, shortly afterward, Sweeney shared the video on Twitter with the caption: "'Whack-a-Sturgeon'. A sport I could definitely get behind."
He was branded "disgusting" and "hopeless" by other social media users over the remark.
The MP for Glasgow North East quickly deleted the comment, but not before the First Minister had spotted it.
What a charmer... pic.twitter.com/bJb5lGi5RI
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 14, 2019
Sturgeon posted a screenshot of the now deleted tweet, and said "What a charmer..."
Following the backlash, Sweeney apologised in a follow-up tweet, stating: "It was merely my weak attempt at being lighthearted by making a pun on 'whac-a-mole', but I quickly realised it could be misconstrued, so please accept my apologies for any offence.
"You're welcome to have a free hit at me on the swing ball on your next visit to Dennistoun!"
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