Whatever else down the centuries, at least the Scots always had their sense of humour. But now, in Humza Yousaf’s Scotland, even that seems to be under threat. For BBC Scotland has now pulled satirical cartoons of politicians from social media, following criticism from members of Yousaf’s government. The broadcaster has now announced it is reviewing the future of Radio Scotland’s Noising Up, following a furore of fury from thin-skinned nationalists. A tale as old as time…
Central to the controversy was the depiction of Lorna Slater, the Green co-leader and a key plank of the Yousaf regime. In one clip satirising Slater, who grew up in Canada, she was labelled the ‘minister for green skills, circular economy, biodiversity, short haul flights and maple syrup.’ The animation about ‘Limo Lorna’ also referenced press reports about her use of ministerial cars. The character promoted a series called ‘Lorna Slater’s Great Green limousine journeys’, described as a ‘3,000-mile tax-payer funded journey around Scotland’. Not particularly funny admittedly, but did the clip really warrant what came next?
Slater’s snarling comrade Mark Ruskell MSP attacked the clip, asking: ‘What’s funny about needing a car to do your job?” Equalities Minister Emma Roddick piled in too, describing the clips as ‘unnecessarily nasty’ (really?) while SNP colleague and Culture Minister Christina McKelvie labelled it ‘dreadful’. It’s a skit, not a war crime…
BBC Scotland is now reviewing Noising Up’s social media output. Good to see the tradition of Rab C Nesbitt, DC Thomson and Billy Connolly is alive and well…
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