MICHAEL Russell yesterday ripped apart the Tories' push for Brexit, which he said is happening "for no good reason except prejudice".
He said the Conservatives had pandered and promoted that prejudice and, refusing to give way to allow a rebuttal from the opposition, said: "That is the shame they should feel."
The Scottish Constitution Secretary yesterday closed the proceedings at Holyrood with the speech which covered his father, the tabloids, the Brexit deal, and the Tories' "nonsense" arguments which he said are "constitutionally and legally untrue".
Russell's nine-minute contribution has been widely hailed on social media as "one for the history books".
National columnist Paul Kavanagh said it was a "belter of a speech" which "beautifully summed up what so many of us are feeling".
READ MORE: Holyrood refuses consent for Boris Johnson's Brexit trade deal
Others said that it was the "best speech heard in the Scottish Parliament" and that it gave them "goosebumps".
One John Stewart said it was a "wonderful speech", adding: "Erudite, emotional, aspirational, inspired and inspiring!"
Responding to the tributes, which are still pouring in, Russell wrote this afternoon that he was "grateful if a bit overwhelmed by so many positive messages".
He went on: "What I said yesterday in [Holyrood] about the folly of Brexit was from the heart. Now we must use our hearts and heads to secure independence and re-join our European friends and neighbours."
You can watch the full speech here:
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