FORMER Scottish secretary Michael Forsyth called the SNP the wrong name twice during a Question Time debate on Scottish independence.
The former Tory MP for Stirling insisted that Scotland should be focused entirely on its Covid-19 recovery rather than a new referendum on leaving the Union.
Appearing on the panel alongside Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, Labour’s last remaining MP in Scotland Ian Murray, businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick and commentator Angela Haggerty, with a virtual audience based in North East Scotland, Forsyth said: “I just find it utterly unbelievable and Scotland is not the Scottish Nationalist Party – and the Scottish Nationalist Party shouldn’t take the electorate for granted.”
READ MORE: Question Time: Jeane Freeman rips up Michael Forsyth's independence referendum claim
The peer was not immediately called out for his use of the phrase, which has seen Boris Johnson told off by the Speaker in the House of Commons.
SNP stands for “Scottish National Party” but Johnson and other Tories often say “nationalist” instead as a tactic to anger their opponents.
Later in the programme an audience member referenced Johnson’s repeated use of “Scottish Nationalist Party”.
READ MORE: WATCH: Speaker silences Boris Johnson for trying to mock the SNP
The participant told the panel: “I’m an SNP supporter and I voted for independence and I think if Boris doesn’t want the Scottish people to keep asking for independence, a good start would be to get the SNP’s name right, that would be a good start I think.”
Host Fiona Bruce then addressed Forsyth’s use of “Scottish Nationalist Party”.
“What, as opposed to calling it the Scottish – which you did as well Michael, the Scottish Nationalist Party?” she asked. “You know it’s the Scottish National Party. But you’re making a point with that.”
Freeman could then be heard saying: “It’s the Scottish National Party.”
Bruce moved on to ask Fitzpatrick for his contribution to the debate on independence from a business person’s perspective.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
READ MORE: WATCH: Boris Johnson refuses to use correct name for the SNP
In the Commons the Tory leader has often wound up SNP representatives by using the incorrect name for the party.
This week Johnson was not able to finish his response to the party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford after he used the wrong name.
The Speaker intervened, stating: “We both know you’re only teasing [Blackford] and trying to wind up the [Westminster] leader of the SNP. Please, let’s drop it.”
Last month Blackford corrected the Prime Minister on the phrase, complaining that he had been told before and “really should get it right”.
And on December 30, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was forced to caution Johnson over the term.
"In fairness I have pointed it out in the past,” he said. “It is the Scottish National Party, Prime Minister."
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