A JOURNALIST has apologised for implying that a Labour MP was supporting murdering police officers with a reference to "Kill the Bill" protests.
John Rentoul, chief political commentator at The Independent, suggested that Labour MP for Hemsworth Jon Trickett was "implying support for murdering police officers" with a tweet referencing opposition of Tory legislation looking to curb protests.
Rentoul has now apologised for the "distress and upset" that his now-deleted tweet caused Trickett.
He wrote: "On 7 May I published a tweet about Jon Trickett MP which described him as 'A Labour MP - a *Labour* MP - who thinks it's clever to use a slogan implying support for murdering police officers'. I based this on a tweet in which Mr Trickett used the 'Kill the Bill' slogan.
"I accept that Mr Trickett was not condoning violence against police officers and that he was using this phrase to reference his opposition to the Police and Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
"I accept that my tweet was wrong and I sincerely apologise for the distress and upset that my tweet has caused Mr Trickett."
This was the offending tweet. pic.twitter.com/Y5u2ShEUP8
— Jon Trickett MP (@jon_trickett) August 6, 2021
Trickett's original tweet was made a day after people in England went to the polls for council and mayoral elections on May 6.
The Labour MP made a similar tweet on the day of the elections - when Scotland and Wales also elected members to devolved governments - with the same list but the initial line changed to "Kick the Tories in the Ballots" and referencing Tory policies.
READ MORE: MPs vote in favour of 'dangerous and draconian' police powers for protests
The "Kill the Bill" phrase has been used by protestors who have demonstrated against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which includes giving more powers to police in England and Wales to impose conditions on non-violent protests judged to be too noisy and thereby causing “intimidation or harassment” or “serious unease, alarm or distress” to the public.
Time and noise limits could be imposed as a result of the measures and those convicted could face a fine or jail.
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