TELEVISION presenter Neil Oliver has announced that he will step down from his post as president of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) this September.
The news comes after Oliver was found to have liked anti-Black Lives Matter content online and praised David Starkey despite his history of "aggressive racism".
However, the TV personality claims that he was always going to hold the post for just three years, and had previously planned to step down later in 2020.
READ MORE: Neil Oliver to step down as NTS president after David Starkey row
Coincidence or not, for many Scots the news couldn't have come sooner, although some still complained that even September is too long to wait.
Sharing The National's story, one Rhiannon GillEasbuig wrote: "Step down now!
"You are helping to damage the reputation of the NTS, and so many Scots refuse to renew their membership with you as president.
"We need action now, not in a few months time when it’s too damn late."
Step down now! You are helping to damage the reputation of the NTS, and so many Scots refuse to renew their membership with you as president. We need action now, not in a few months time when it’s too damn late #neiloliver @N_T_S
— Rhiannon GillEasbuig (@rhigilleasbuig) July 6, 2020
https://t.co/CB6p2LQNgV
Many pro-independence supporters claim to have stopped their NTS membership because of Oliver's presidency. As such, it is hoped that the resignation may bring new life to the struggling trust.
Scots actor Robbie Crossan wrote: "NTS have finally removed @thecoastguy [Oliver] as head of the company. They should never had hired [him] in the first place.
"Like loads of true Scots I will happily be renewing my membership now he’s gone."
READ MORE: Whisky galore: Scotch from sunken ship put up for auction
Agreeing, Graham Ellery wrote: "Not as if Neil Oliver has not tended to upset folks. Good news he is standing down. NTS can now hopefully plan their covid recovery and go from strength to strength. Hopefully his replacement will be an ambassador for Scotland ... Brian Cox?"
The sentiment was shared by author JR Tomlin, who wrote: "Neil Oliver to step down as NTS president after David Starkey row. This is good news! Now if the NTS will stop acting as a British Nationalist mouthpiece we will have made some progress."
Neil Oliver to step down as NTS president after David Starkey row https://t.co/uWmZS5rGYj This is good news! Now if the @N_T_S will stop acting as a British Nationalist mouthpiece we will have made some progress.
— J. R. Tomlin (@JRTomlinAuthor) July 6, 2020
But while some to Oliver's defence, saying it was "nationalists" who had driven him from the post, others were quick to point out it was not that he was a Unionist that was people's biggest issue with him.
"As you have been told repeatedly, Neil Oliver drove himself out of civil society, by sticking up for racist statues and loving racist historians. It is all on him," one Iain Nicol wrote.
Last time I checked Neil Oliver got criticised for openly supporting people with racist views. Funny how everything gets turned into nationalist issues?? But thanks for implying every nationalist has issues with racists. Which kinda implies unionists don’t! ;))
— Beryl Preuschmann (@Miss_Beryl) July 6, 2020
Another wrote: "Last time I checked Neil Oliver got criticised for openly supporting people with racist views. Funny how everything gets turned into nationalist issues?? But thanks for implying every nationalist has issues with racists."
Others took issue with Oliver's latest documentary, Scotland and the Klan, which "explores the possible links between racism in America's Deep South and the Scottish settlers that first occupied it", according to the BBC website.
"Didn't you just do a documentary about the KKK originating with Scottish emigrants to the US South, @thecoastguy?
"So disappointed in you", one wrote, with another adding: "So, are we looking forward to the next BBC programme fronted by Neil Oliver trolling the majority of Scots? What to expect?
"'William Wallace was Hitler's big influence for Nazi Germany'? 'Scots were the world's first fascists'? 'Coastal erosion is caused by nationalism?'"
Here are some more of the best reactions:
Shameless bullies allowed to win the day again. Sickens me what Scotland and the wider UK has become recently and it's time the silent majority were fighting backhttps://t.co/gVoZwP687B
— Rosie - Imperial Master's Lickspittle (@carmic3) July 6, 2020
Really pleased to hear Neil Oliver is going, but I am afraid the @N_T_S reputation lies in complete tatters. Their statement thanking Oliver for his contribution and even stating they regret his resignation confirms they are finished as a heritage organisation. https://t.co/GWBA9miWGY
— AndrewRichmond (@arichmondScot) July 6, 2020
Lesley Riddoch to replace Neil Oliver.
— Mel 🇪🇺 (@meljomur) July 6, 2020
As well as being a superb ambassador for Scotland, Neil Oliver knows how to defend Western civilization from its assailants near and far. His voice will be indispensable in the time ahead. https://t.co/6w2fH0p35n
— Tom Gallagher (@cultfree54) July 6, 2020
Say what you like about Darren Grimes, but he's taken out Starkey and Neil Oliver in one fell swoop https://t.co/E22Huer1XD
— Leo Mikłasz (@leomiklasz) July 6, 2020
Finally one Alan Calderwood speculated on what might be next for Oliver. "Presumably [he's stepping down] to spend more time with his hair," he wrote.
"Neil Oliver to step down as NTS president."
— Alan Calderwood (@calderwa) July 6, 2020
Presumably to spend more time with his hair...https://t.co/kjFcqi6fKX
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