MURDO Fraser is facing a backlash after he appeared to have a dig at Nicola Sturgeon over Rangers’ Scottish Premiership win.
The Scottish Tory MSP asked on social media whether the First Minister had congratulated the team – despite supporters being in the process of gathering en masse for rule-breaking celebrations which would lead to Glasgow city centre being trashed.
Celebrations began on Saturday at Ibrox as Rangers effectively clinched the title with a win against St Mirren. They continued into Sunday as huge congregations marched towards George Square.
Police Scotland confirmed 28 people were arrested during the disorder, with widespread reports of public drinking and vandalism.
READ MORE: Fury after rule-breaking Rangers fans cause chaos in Glasgow city centre
On Sunday, despite fans already having broken lockdown rules with the gathering at Ibrox, and with thousands more massing for celebrations in George Square, Fraser hit out at Sturgeon, who is the MSP for Glasgow Southside.
He tweeted: “Has the constituency MSP for Ibrox been on to congratulate her local team on their success today? Usually quick off the mark on such occasions? @RangersFC #Champions #55”
Has the constituency MSP for Ibrox been on to congratulate her local team on their success today? Usually quick off the mark on such occasions? @RangersFC #Champions #55
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) March 7, 2021
Posting just over an hour later, the First Minister did congratulate the club on its success, but with fans already flouting public health restrictions in the city centre, she appealed for them to disperse.
“I congratulate @RangersFC on the title win & recognise what a moment this is for fans,” Sturgeon wrote. “But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else. If those gathering care at all about the safety of others & the country, they will go home.”
I congratulate @RangersFC on the title win & recognise what a moment this is for fans. But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else. If those gathering care at all about the safety of others & the country, they will go home. https://t.co/MjzJJEhhsd
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 7, 2021
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon condemns 'disgraceful' Rangers fans' celebrations
A few hours later, after thousands had joined the George Square celebration, the First Minister called the gathering “infuriating and disgraceful”.
She added: “It is deeply unfair to the entire country, and the police have a hard enough job already. Please ask fans to go home @RangersFC”
Amid reports from local residents of public drinking and vandalism, Fraser came under fire from scores of social media users.
The SNP’s Sandra White commented: “I’m constituency MSP for Glasgow City Centre and I’ve been on to police on behalf of my constituents who are having to put up with this disgraceful situation on their doorstep perhaps you might spare a thought for them.”
In total during the mass gatherings, 28 people were arrested and seven people were issued with fixed penalty notices or will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said “An appropriate policing response was in place throughout the day and officers continually engaged and encouraged compliance with coronavirus regulations.”
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf also asked fans to stay at home, saying he understood they would be "desperate" to celebrate but must adhere to lockdown rules.
He warned Uefa would be paying "close attention" as Glasgow's Hampden Park is due to host some games of the delayed 2020 European Championships in the summer.
David Hamilton, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said he was "appalled" by the scenes on Sunday.
He told BBC Good Morning Scotland: "We go on a model of policing by consent and that requires us to essentially deal with people on the basis that they're prepared to do these things, particularly in vast numbers, and clearly in this case we were up against the tide here where thousands of people willfully disregarded the health advice and were selfishly congregating in George Square, putting themselves at risk, their friends at risk, the supporters at risk and the police officers who were looking after after them at risk."
He said that almost all of the officers on duty will not yet have been vaccinated and he is concerned for them.
Hamilton said: "We've got a lot of people in jeopardy now and that's just down to the selfishness of those who decided that celebrating their club's victory was more important than the health of the country."
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