SCOTTISH Greens MSP Patrick Harvie has taken an arch-Unionist to task for a comment about his co-leader Lorna Slater.

Labour peer George Foulkes was responding to details of the deal struck between the SNP and Scottish Greens, with the two party leaders appearing beside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House yesterday.

Baron Foulkes of Cumnock, former minister of State for Scotland, felt compelled to share his ire at the co-operation agreement.

The National:

He wrote on Twitter: “Just as Patrick Harvie and his Green sidekick sign a deal to get ministerial posts and limousines, ScotRail announce service cuts forcing more people into cars. #greensellout”

Harvie hit back at Foulkes for failing to show respect to Slater.

He replied: “He can't bring himself to even use the name of a successful, articulate woman. She's called Lorna Slater and she's awesome!

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“If this deal goes through, you'll still see me getting about on my bike, as we set about our £5 billion rail investment, and take ScotRail back into public hands.”

Slater added: “I think he's afraid of another pile on, like the one he got when he dissed me the other week.”

Foulkes – a life peer in the unelected House of Lords, alongside Baroness of Lundin Links Ruth Davidson – last week faced a backlash after telling of his confusion at Slater’s election.

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He said: “As a former beneficiary of the eccentricities of the Holyrood election system, even I am perplexed how Lorna Slater managed to get selected and elected and may even be joining the Scottish Government. I would welcome hearing the low down on the process.”

As well as the process of electing list MSPs, Unionist Foulkes, who was at Holyrood for four years, has also had difficulty understanding devolution.

Last year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon explained that Scotland would maintain the “stay at home” coronavirus guidance after Downing Street changed its slogan to “stay alert” without consulting Scotland.

Foulkes wrote: “Scotland is one of the nations of the United Kingdom & the UK Parliament remains responsible for all of the UK.”

Devolution means his statement is wrong across a number of policy areas.

The Cumnock Baron took credit last year for the BBC’s decision to stop regularly broadcasting the First Minister’s coronavirus briefings.

He said it came after “representations” made by himself and Labour’s Jackie Baillie.