A TORY MSP appeared on local radio in Manchester to tell listeners to “please” come to Scotland – despite Government restrictions aiming to stop the spread of Covid.
Yesterday a travel ban between Salford, Manchester and Scotland came into place as the two cities recorded increasing coronavirus cases. Rates in Manchester and Salford are 346.6 and 335.3 cases per 100,000 people respectively.
But Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has raged against the Scottish Government rule, saying he was not contacted prior to the announcement and demanding compensation for people left out of pocket due to the new restrictions.
READ MORE: Health expert hits out at Tory MSP over 'deeply unhelpful' Manchester travel claims
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has accused Burnham of using the tensions to keep up his political profile while Keir Starmer’s position remains unstable.
Now it has been reported that Burnham is considering court action against Holyrood, telling journalists that ministers are on “shaky” legal ground. The former Labour MP will give a press conference this afternoon.
Yesterday afternoon BBC Radio Manchester’s Phil Trow interviewed Tory MSP Murdo Fraser about the ongoing row.
Fraser, MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, told listeners that the First Minister “is not representing the Scottish people” and encouraged them to come across the Border.
Asked if he believed there should have been a travel ban at all, Fraser criticised the “lack of consistency” – pointing out that Covid rates in Dundee are comparable to those in the Manchester and Salford areas, but no restrictions are in place there.
READ MORE: Andy Burnham plots court action over Scottish Government's travel ban
“If you’re going to ban people from Manchester and Salford, why are you not banning people from Dundee?” he asked.
“But I guess for Nicola Sturgeon, that’s too difficult a political message to send to people at home isn’t it? It’s far nicer, far easier for her to be bashing the English than it is to be bashing people in Scotland.”
Presenter Trow then brought up tourism implications. “Potentially this could harm the Scottish economy, couldn’t it?” he asked Fraser. “Because if we’re not bringing our money up to you we’ll go stay somewhere else.”
“Listen, we want your money,” Fraser replied. “The message I’d like to send to all your listeners in Manchester is please come to Scotland.
“Nicola Sturgeon is not representing the Scottish people when she makes these comments. We would like you, we would love you to come to Scotland. The weather here is glorious at the moment, and we’re ready and open for visitors so please come and don’t be put off.”
READ MORE: Burnham didn't tell Sarwar he would attack Nicola Sturgeon on travel ban
Fraser then took to Twitter hours later to say he was “delighted” to have been invited to contribute on the programme, and reiterated: “Nicola Sturgeon does NOT speak for Scotland, and they should NOT be cancelling holidays here later in the summer as the great majority of Scots will make them welcome.”
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Twitter users were outraged by the comments, with people questioning why Fraser believes he speaks for Scotland but the elected First Minister does not. His comment generated hundreds of responses.
Journalist James Doleman told Fraser: “You don’t even speak for your own constituency,” sharing election figures showing the MSP’s failed bid to unseat John Swinney in Perthshire North.
“Let me get this right, the democratically elected First Minister of Scotland doesn’t speak for Scotland, but a person who has failed to be elected by the people of Scotland in 8 successive elections, but ends up in Parliament anyway, does?” asked Charlotte Armitage.
“Surely there has to be consequences to elected representatives deliver trying to undermine health measures?” asked David McClemont.
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