NEIL Oliver has been branded a “chancer” after suggesting Boris Johnson was forced to leave Scotland due to safety concerns.
The outgoing NTS president said it was “mortifying and heartbreaking” that the Tory leader felt “unsafe”.
The Prime Minister cut short his holiday in Scotland after the Daily Mail published photographs of the cottage he was staying in. Social media users were quickly able to pinpoint his exact location in Applecross in the Highlands.
Downing Street sources claimed Johnson could no longer stay amid fears they could be “mobbed by Scottish nationalists”. One senior Tory told the Sun: “The finger of blame for this all getting out is being pointed at the SNP, particularly Ian Blackford who is local.”
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP flatly rejected the “preposterous” claims, adding: “At no point have I referred publicly to the PM’s whereabouts. It’s nothing to do with me and to be smeared in this way is unacceptable.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson cuts short holiday in Scotland as location is revealed
Picking up on Downing Street’s interpretation of events, Oliver tweeted: “Scotland was the most welcoming country in the world. That a British PM – or indeed anyone at all – might feel unsafe here is more mortifying and heartbreaking than I can say.”
The NTS chief was inundated with criticism on social media.
Blackford replied: “The idea that folk are not safe in Wester Ross is preposterous and for you to pedal this nonsense speaks volumes. Scotland is a welcoming country and will remain so. Are you really implying our police cant keep the PM safe? This is nonsense.”
The idea that folk are not safe in Wester Ross is preposterous and for you to pedal this nonsense speaks volumes. Scotland is a welcoming country and will remain so. Are you really implying our police cant keep the PM safe? This is nonsense. https://t.co/IhnGx3pYov
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) August 22, 2020
Senior SNP activist Toni Giugliano added: “It’s really not Scotland’s fault if No 10 can’t organise a piss up. No amount of spin from Cummings & co is going to tarnish Scotland’s reputation as a welcoming country.”
READ MORE: Toni Giugliano: Scotland is a welcoming country, no matter what Neil Oliver says
Oliver also faced criticism from a popular Glasgow bar.
The Thornwood, in the city’s west end, posted: “See this nonsense. Last night we had a couple from Enfield visit for dinner. Got them a nice table outside. Chatted about Spurs, London and beers. They left after having a great laugh. Didn’t discuss politics. Scotland is welcoming. Don’t let chancers tell you otherwise.”
See this nonsense. Last night we had a couple from Enfield visit for dinner. Got them a nice table outside. Chatted about Spurs, London and beers. They left after having a great laugh. Didn’t discuss politics. Scotland is welcoming. Don’t let chancers tell you otherwise. https://t.co/P86SQhnWfJ
— TheThornwoodBar (@BarThornwood) August 22, 2020
READ MORE: Neil Oliver to step down as NTS president after David Starkey row
Germans for Scottish Independence commented: “Scotland still is the most welcoming country in the world. Don’t let folk with an agenda change the narrative.”
Last month, it was announced that Oliver will step down as NTS president in September.
It came after the TV presenter liked an anti-Black Lives Matter tweet and declared his “love” for disgraced historian David Starkey.
Oliver insisted he had always planned to do no more than a three-year stint at the head of the heritage organisation.
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