CHRISTIAN Allard has condemned the chairman of a local Tory association after he suggested the former SNP MEP should “go back to the country of your birth”.
Allard, a French-born politician, also warned of a rise in xenophobia and racism since the Brexit vote in 2016.
He spoke out in an interview with the Press and Journal after an online exchange with Banff and Buchan Conservative Association chairman Conrad Ritchie.
The Tory posted: “Your SNP cult has created this hate fuelled separation environment … Not happy, then go back to your country of birth, simple.”
Allard replied: “Another one taking the time to show me my own front door. I live here, I can’t undo my 3 children and my 4 grandchildren, I can’t undo my life in the UK. If not #indyref2020 then what?”
Ritchie then tweeted: “We all have choices … I have not shown you the door, I simply pointed out that you have a choice.”
The Conservative association chairman deleted the comments and said one of the tweets was “worded poorly”.
He added: “I did not mean to cause Mr Allard any offence.”
Ritchie resigned from his post with the party on Tuesday afternoon.
Allard, who was elected as an MEP last year, served until Brexit Day on January 31. He has lived in Scotland for 35 years.
Reflecting on the Twitter exchange, he told the P&J: “Telling me to go home is asking me to head to Torry – what have we become?
“We never got this kind of approach before Brexit but since then it has been awful.
“As a politician I deal with it and respond as I did here but for others on the street they have to report it to the police.
“There is no place in Scotland for xenophobia or racism.”
MSP Kevin Stewart added: "Disgraceful behaviour from a Tory constituency chair. The tweet maybe deleted, but the sentiment remains. @Christia_Allard & every other EU national, who has chosen to live, love & work here has my full support. This is your home. #OneScotland"
Disgraceful behaviour from a Tory constituency chair. The tweet maybe deleted, but the sentiment remains. @Christia_Allard & every other EU national, who has chosen to live, love & work here has my full support. This is your home. #OneScotland https://t.co/SJBO68wTbY
— Kevin Stewart MSP (@KevinStewartSNP) March 3, 2020
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