A SENIOR SNP office bearer has apologised and deactivated her Twitter account as she faced a backlash after writing on social media that Scotland hates the UK.
Rhiannon Spear, the education convener on Glasgow City Council and the party's national women's convener, made the comment on Twitter after the UK failed to gain any points in the final of the Eurovision song contest last night.
Viewers took to Twitter to give their reaction to the result, which saw the UK's entry in the competition come in last.
READ MORE: UK deemed an embarrassment after Amanda Holden Eurovision gaffe
Many expressed the opinion that the outcome reflected the low regard in which Britain is held following the decision to leave the European Union.
Spear sparked controversy when she wrote on Twitter late on Saturday: "It's ok Europe we hate the United Kingdom too. Love, Scotland."
She added the following morning after other people raised concerns about the post.
She tweeted: "The UK has a billionaire Chancellor who won't give NHS staff a fair pay rise during a global pandemic."
She also said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "more interested in lining the pockets of his Tory donors than feeding hungry children".
READ MORE: 'Everyone hates the UK': Twitter reacts to Eurovision result
The councillor added: "If this tweet offends you, have a word with yourself."
Spear's comments led to criticism from both Yes and Pro-Union supporters.
Yesser Ariel Killick wrote: "Wtf Rhiannon, this is appalling – I've given speeches at multiple indy rallies and I'd never say so something so irresponsible even if you're joking, not that it's actually clear you are.
"This is very poor leadership at any level of responsibility & representation."
Another responded: "Goodness me! How very childish."
Thomas Kerr, a Tory councillor in Glasgow, responded: "Rhiannon, you're the chair of Glasgow City Council education committee. Not really setting a good example to our young people, are you? We should be teaching tolerance and inclusion, not hate and division."
Spear later deactivated her Twitter account and apologised. The Twitter account has since been reactivated.
She said in a statement: "I have now deleted this tweet about the UK's results in the Eurovision Song Contest, and apologise for any offence caused."
Scottish Conservative chief whip, Stephen Kerr, said: “The mask has again slipped from the SNP and this is another example of their toxic obsession with division.
“This is abhorrent language from one of the SNP’s most prominent campaigners and a 2021 election candidate, not to mention chair of Glasgow City Council’s education committee.
“We should be teaching tolerance and inclusion, not hate and division.”
Anger also mounted as the UK's represented Amanda Holden said that she didn't know the difference between saying good evening in either French or Dutch.
She made the gaffe when she was tasked with delivering the UK's jury's result on the last night of the competition hosted in Rotterdam.
Appearing from London to address viewers and the show's international participants, the Britain's Got Talent judge said: "Bon soir. Goedenavond. That is good evening in French and Dutch although I've got absolutely no idea which is which."
In contrast, ten-year-old Manolis Gkinis from Greece confidently delivered his country's result in fluent English.
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