DOUGLAS Ross has been labelled a hypocrite after accusing Nicola Sturgeon of not devoting her full attention to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish Tory leader attacked the First Minister because she refused to abandon hopes of securing a second independence referendum in the aftermath of May’s Holyrood election.
Sturgeon has rejected any suggestions that contemplating an independent future during the pandemic was a “distraction”, stating that it’s only natural that countries consider a different way forward during a crisis.
READ MORE: Michael Russell slams Boris Johnson's 'daft' referendum claims
But in response to her comments, and a continued surge in Covid-19 cases, Ross reacted angrily on social media.
He posted: “Today we have been reminded that the virus is sadly not yet behind us.
“But at the time when all our focus should be on defeating covid-19 & building Scotland back better, Nicola Sturgeon's mind is on another divisive referendum.”
The Moray MP’s claims that the First Minister had taken her eye off the ball were countered by the SNP’s Stewart McDonald.
He pointed out that the Scottish Tory leader has been repeatedly criticised for missing important political dates to carry out his second job as a football linesman.
Ross has, on separate occasions, missed a Commons vote, an immigration debate, a coronavirus meeting and a veterans memorial service to run the line at football matches.
McDonald, highlighting the various examples, tweeted: “The First Minister is focused on the pandemic and the policy platform she was elected on. You, on the other hand...”
The First Minister is focused on the pandemic and the policy platform she was elected on. You, on the other hand... https://t.co/hoTjEIMcZT pic.twitter.com/cfUbpaaqdy
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) January 5, 2021
READ MORE: Douglas Ross missed Covid lockdown meeting to be linesman at Ibrox
Speaking to The National, the SNP MP added: “In a crowded field, the man has some brass neck to have a go at anybody when it comes to focusing on the job in front of them.”
The First Minister dismissed claims that she was being distracted from the pandemic by her support of Scottish independence during an interview on Channel 4 News.
She pointed that out the official campaign was paused in March when the virus hit.
“Literally every day between now and then I have rightly, as is my duty to the Scottish people, been focused on trying to deal with and tackle the Covid pandemic,” Sturgeon said. “That will remain the case for as long as we are in the grip of this pandemic.”
She explained: “As we start to recover from this, all societies, all countries are asking themselves: What country do we want to recover to? What changes do we want? What kind of countries do we want to be?
“It’s an opportunity to tackle some of the deep-seated problems like inequality and poverty. And for Scotland that involves the consideration of who holds the levers? Where do the powers lie?
“And that of course brings to the fore the question of independence – being in charge of our own future. Part of that becoming again part of the European family of nations.”
"That's not a distraction from that process of recovery... that's part and parcel of making sure we are deciding what we recover to."
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) January 4, 2021
Nicola Sturgeon tells @jonsnowC4 her focus is on tackling Covid, but adds the recovery will bring questions of Scottish independence to the fore. pic.twitter.com/BCAmWA0zk9
The FM continued: “And that’s not a distraction from that process of recovery, that’s part and parcel of making sure we are deciding as a country in Scotland what we recover to, and that’s not being driven by a UK Government that’s values are very different to the majority of Scotland.
“But right now, my focus as First Minister every single day, literally every hour of every single day, is making sure that I am steering this country as safely as possible through this pandemic.”
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