A CONSERVATIVE MSP has been accused of tweeting an “indescribably irresponsible” post about plans for Rangers fan celebrations tomorrow.
The club will be handed the premiership trophy at Ibrox, and police have reminded fans that Covid restrictions state no more than six people should gather.
In March, fans celebrated outside the stadium and in George Square when they were confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions. There are fears of similar scenes this weekend.
It comes amid a Covid-19 spike in the southside of Glasgow, which experts believe may be linked to the Indian variant of Covid-19.
Professor Linda Bauld said the B16172 variant may be even more transmissible than the kind spread throughout Scotland during the second wave of the pandemic.
The First Minister has said the situation in the city is being monitored “very closely” ahead of a planned move to level 2 restrictions next week.
Yesterday more than 1000 protesters gathered in Glasgow’s Kenmure Street after learning that two Indian nationals had been detained by the home office.
Protesters and local residents surrounded the Home Office van and remained there for eight hours, until the two men were released.
READ MORE: Glasgow triumphant as Home Office forced to back down on dawn raid detentions
On Twitter, Murdo Fraser criticised politicians who were “actively encouraging” the protest – and said he was concerned calls for Rangers fans to be responsible tomorrow had been “undermined”.
The MSP posted: “I hope all Rangers fans will celebrate responsibly tomorrow, esp given the spike in Glasgow Covid cases. Sadly I fear such calls are undermined by some politicians actively encouraging street protests yesterday. Can’t be one rule for some and another for others.”
His post prompted backlash, with residents, campaigners and politicians arguing there was a false equivalence.
“The fact you can't tell the difference shows that your moral compass is in a troubling position,” wrote Rob Black.
“Aye because doing the thing with the ball is equivalent to saving our neighbours from your government's hostile environment policy,” added polling expert Mark McGeoghegan.
Murdo being indescribably irresponsible and petty.
— Gavin Newlands MP 🎗 (@GavNewlandsSNP) May 14, 2021
Par for the Murdo course really. https://t.co/3A4LoYTowB
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, wrote: “Murdo being indescribably irresponsible and petty. Par for the Murdo course really.”
Alba MP Neale Hanvey joked he thought all Tory policies are “predicated on the ‘one rule for some and another rule for others’ principle”.
“This ‘coded’ message not only makes a false equivalence but is utterly and shamefully irresponsible,” commented National columnist David Pratt.
READ MORE: Covid in Wales: Lockdown easing paused amid concern over Indian variant
Speaking earlier this week, chief superintendent Mark Sutherland, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, said: "Ahead of the match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday, 15 May 2012, an appropriate policing plan is in place to maintain public safety and minimise any disruption to the community.
"Under the current restrictions no one should be gathering in numbers of more than six at the stadium or any other location and Police Scotland supports the club in urging its fans to do the right thing and follow the coronavirus regulations around gatherings.
"We will continue to liaise with our partners, including the Scottish Government, to ensure these matches can be completed safely and to minimise the risk to both our officers and the public.
"The sacrifices people have made have allowed for further easing of regulations, however, we continue to ask people to take personal responsibility and to use Greater Glasgow safely and respectfully."
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