AN SNP MP sparked an angry reaction last night when he accused “Commonweal types” of being “oddly mute” over the Belarus election protests.
Thousands of people protested in the country last night as early results indicated the long-time authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko had won a landslide victory with 80% of the vote.
State agency Belta reported that Lukashenko’s main opponent, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, had received just 9.9% of the vote.
Lukashenko, nicknamed “Europe’s last dictator”, has ruled over the former Soviet nation for more than 25 years.
READ MORE: Belarus: Thousands protest as Alexander Lukashenko claims victory
Human rights group Viasna reported that hundreds had been detained as police in riot gear responded to protest marches with violent dispersal.
The Associated Press said one of its journalists had been taken to hospital after being beaten by police.
As events unfolded last night, SNP defence spokesman Stewart McDonald tweeted: “Incredible events unfolding in Belarus: an uprising on the European continent, against an authoritarian Soviet dictator, led by women of courage and substance with their fellow citizens at their back. Commonweal types oddly mute.”
Common Weal is a progressive think tank founded by Robin McAlpine in 2013. Its founder has been critical of the SNP’s approach to independence, the economy and the environment, among other issues.
Why would you unnecessarily bear bait fellow Scots in this way over an issue like this unless you were just plain stupid? https://t.co/ug2gAwxvrf
— David Pratt (@foreigncorr1) August 9, 2020
The National’s foreign affairs editor David Pratt reacted angrily to the MP’s claim. He responded: “Why would you unnecessarily bear bait fellow Scots in this way over an issue like this unless you were just plain stupid?”
Meanwhile, other self-identifying “Commonweal types” stepped in to reject claims they were silent about the Belarus protests.
Author William Duguid replied: “Hi Stewart, I'm a 'Commonweal type' and I take exception to being sneered at for it by parliamentarians. Perhaps you'd like to replace your tweet with something less crass?”
Hi Stewart, I'm a 'Commonweal type' and I take exception to being sneered at for it by parliamentarians. Perhaps you'd like to replace your tweet with something less crass? https://t.co/4X1q6hhmCZ
— William Duguid (@WilliamDuguid1) August 9, 2020
Rory Steel, the national secretary of the SNP Common Weal Group, posted: “Missed this belter last night due to a long zoom call with my Russian handlers. Living rent free.”
Broadcasting Scotland’s Kenny McBride posted links to reports where Common Weal members had discussed the Belarus elections recently.
McDonald has been contacted for comment.
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