A TORY MSP’s “hatred of the SNP” left him looking “foolish” over his claims about minimum unit pricing, the depute leader of the SNP has said.
We previously told how an alcohol charity boss took a Tory MSP to task as he tried to argue with her about statistics on minimum unit pricing.
Tory MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane (below) claimed estimates on the number of lives saved by minimum unit pricing are under “intense scrutiny” and sought answers from a panel of alcohol charity witnesses on how it had affected dependent drinkers.
The MSP repeatedly interrupted Justina Murray, chief executive of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs, questioning if statistics produced to date were significant.
She said Gulhane was the “only person in the room” who appeared not to believe the evidence.
Specifically, he had claimed that evidence around hospital admissions was not "statistically significant".
When your hatred of the SNP and your disregard for facts leaves you isolated and looking extremely petty and foolish. No credibility left. https://t.co/v91M87RHde
— Keith Brown (@KeithBrownSNP) February 6, 2024
Responding to a video of the clash between the two on Twitter/X, the SNP’s depute leader Keith Brown said: “When your hatred of the SNP and your disregard for facts leaves you isolated and looking extremely petty and foolish. No credibility left.”
Research previously published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet suggested 156 deaths per year on average in Scotland may have been prevented due to the policy.
Gulhane went on to say he wanted to make it “abundantly clear” he does believe the evidence but that dependent drinkers appeared to be spending more money on alcohol consumption as a result of minimum unit pricing.
READ MORE: Scottish Government drugs minister quits citing 'post-traumatic stress'
Meanwhile, SNP MP Stewart McDonald also responded to the video with the caption: “Clamped.”
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd also reacted on Twitter/X and said: “Well said!
"It’s hard to hear a fellow health professional-turned-politician argue against the evidence that has been so well marshalled by the public health community.”
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