JACKSON Carlaw has been left red-faced after accusing the First Minister of “profiteering” with SNP-branded masks.
Tories have attacked the SNP for selling the face coverings, alleging that the party is trying to profit from a health crisis. MSP Annie Wells, in a letter to SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, branded it a “tasteless venture”.
Carlaw, responding to a statement from Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood, took up the issue once more.
He also accused the First Minister of encouraging protests on the Scottish Border against people travelling from England during the coronavirus crisis.
READ MORE: Jackson Carlaw resigns as leader of the Scottish Conservatives
The Scottish Tory leader said: “I think the First Minister has to be very careful when she talks about playing politics when she is the leader, and the chief executive of her party, profiteer from Covid virus by producing party political face masks to raise funds for the SNP."
He added: “And then encourage people down in the Borders to shout obscenities at people coming to this country from England … encouraged by elected SNP parliamentarians.”
Sturgeon, however, revealed that profits from the masks in fact go to charity.
She responded: “I genuinely find myself, right now, find myself feeling quite sorry for Jackson Carlaw. I have been a politician for 30 years, and I still can't imagine getting so bound up in bitter partisan politics that I can't bring myself to welcome the fact that we have made such progress against a deadly virus.
“How blinded must you be to find yourself in that position and my tolerance for this kind of politics is lower than it has ever been before.”
The FM added: “I will continue to do everything to persuade people to wear face coverings and in terms of my party every penny of profit made will go to charity actually.”
READ MORE: Unionists are absolutely fuming about SNP-branded face masks
The SNP's official website has been selling face masks for £8 and face coverings for £14, branded with SNP logos and saltires.
It is not known which charity will receive the donations from the party.
A spokesperson said: "Like all those with similar products, we're encouraging our supporters to wear a face covering and to help suppress the virus. As the First Minister has made clear, all profits will go to charity."
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