Alex Massie Alex Massie

A Wee Bit of Culture

Never let it be said that politicians will cling to even the meanest post until the torch and pitchfork brigade come calling. Labour MSP Frank McAveety has stood down from his position as the convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee. And why? Because, during a committee meeting he was heard to say:

“There’s a very attractive girl in the second row, dark . . . and dusky. We’ll maybe put a wee word out for her.” Mr McAveety went on: “She’s very attractive looking, nice, very nice, very slim,” before adding: “The heat’s getting to me.” The MSP also said: “She looks kinda . . . she’s got that Filipino look. “You know . . . the kind you’d see in a Gauguin painting. There’s a wee bit of culture*.”

That “There’s a wee bit of culture” is a splendidly Glaswegian touch.

Needless to say, everyone will go bananas about this because this is the Brave New Scotland where scandals can’t even fill an espresso cup.

*A very wee bit obviously since Gauguin’s generally associated with Tahiti, not the Philippines. You might hope that a former Culture Minister might appreciate that…

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