THE Scottish Tory leader faces criticism for claiming it was “unacceptable” that Nicola Sturgeon waited 48 hours to condemn a Scottish Border protest this weekend.
The First Minister said yesterday that the protest, which saw a small group of independence supporters stand at the Border with a banner saying “keep Scotland Covid free”, was not “sensible or helpful”.
The small group gathered at the side of the A1 on Saturday wearing protective overalls and warning people to “stay out” of Scotland. Senior SNP figures like Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and MP Pete Wishart condemned the protest shortly after it took place.
READ MORE: Scottish Border protest: What those there have to say
The protest came after a week of tensions between the UK and Scottish governments, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson claiming there was no such thing as a Scottish Border. His comment was in response to the First Minister’s refusal to rule out Border restrictions if public health advice suggested it was necessary to limit the spread of coronavirus in Scotland.
Sturgeon was asked directly about the protest at the daily Scottish Government briefing yesterday, and she agreed with Yousaf.
She told reporters: "The people who protested at the border did not speak for me, they were not there on my behalf or communicating a message that I endorse in any way. I would emphatically say I do not endorse that."
On the Border row itself, the SNP leader went on: "This is not a question about whether people in England are welcome in Scotland - of course they are, just as people in Scotland are hopefully welcome in England. It's about public health and I will take decisions based on protecting the people of Scotland if there is a risk to public health.
"That is not political or constitutional and it is certainly not based on any desire to keep English people out of Scotland."
"I don't approve of the protests, and I would ask people not to protest on the Border because I don't think it is a particularly sensible or helpful thing to do.
"I can't be clearer than I have been - the SNP is an open and welcoming party and Scotland is an open and welcoming country, and that kind of protest is not something I condone or endorse in any way, shape or form."
Those who attended the protest have told The National they vehemently deny accusations of racism and have defended their presence on the Border at the weekend. They insisted their message was solely about coronavirus transmission.
It is unacceptable that it took Nicola Sturgeon 48 hours to condemn racist border protests, dragged out of her at a press conference.
— Jackson Carlaw MSP (@Jackson_Carlaw) July 7, 2020
If any of these protestors are SNP members, she must send a clear message by immediately expelling them from her party.https://t.co/KfCW2E6tYW
Writing on Twitter this morning, Jackson Carlaw said: “It is unacceptable that it took Nicola Sturgeon 48 hours to condemn racist border protests, dragged out of her at a press conference.
“If any of these protestors are SNP members, she must send a clear message by immediately expelling them from her party.”
Ross Colquhoun replied to the MSP: “Nicola Sturgeon has been at the forefront of condemning racism and bigotry both domestically and internationally. You, however, have not even had the courage to speak up about racism within your own party.”
How many of the Loyalist thugs on the streets of Glasgow were Tory members? What did you do to find out which of these racists were Tory members? How many have you expelled? https://t.co/BGcMtYkeUG
— Christopher McEleny (@ChrisMcEleny) July 7, 2020
And Chris McEleny asked Carlaw where the condemnation has been for other recent protests from his party. He said: “How many of the Loyalist thugs on the streets of Glasgow were Tory members? What did you do to find out which of these racists were Tory members? How many have you expelled?”
Lecturer Dr Malcolm Harvey compared the situation to another scandal involving the Prime Minister’s top adviser.
He posted: “Aw, mate. When Dominic Cummings was caught getting his eye test, the media couldn't find you for a week.
“When the FM was asked directly about this at a press briefing, she fully and categorically condemned the protest. But tell me more about manufactured grievances …”
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