A NATIONAL reader has expressed concerns after finding an unauthorised insert from a Unionist campaign inside her copy of the newspaper.
Ashleigh Bryce bought yesterday’s edition from Tesco in Greenock, before taking it home and spotting a cut-out from the pro-UK group Scotland Matters on page 19.
The cut-out reads: “Education not separation. Stop failing our kids, First Minister”.
It is not clear how the insert got inside the newspaper.
The group has previously used the graphic as a billboard in the town, as well as an advertisement criticising the Scottish Government’s vaccine roll-out. Scotland Matters have promoted other Unionist ads in the Glasgow area.
Bryce got in touch with Tesco after finding the cut-out slipped inside The National, and also complained of copies of the newspaper being hidden by customers.
“I buy a full range of papers - I spend at least £10 daily,” she explained. “I cover as many viewpoints as I can.
“Shouldn’t Tesco be making sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen?
“We’ve had two billboards put up in Inverclyde, you’ve probably seen, against the SNP,” she said. “I guess this is how it’s going to be leading up to this election.”
READ MORE: Shona Craven: Yes, Scotland matters, so put a billboard in London not Greenock
The National understands unauthorised inserts are not a widespread issue across Tesco stores, but that Bryce's discovery has now been raised with the team at the Greenock outlet. Staff there will now be regularly checking the newspapers.
Responding to Bryce’s concerns, Tesco confirmed they had sent the email onto the store manager, who will be discussing it with staff and looking out “for anyone tampering with the papers”.
A spokesperson for Scotland Matters said it is not their policy to put inserts into individual newspapers.
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