When it rains for the SNP, it pours. It transpires that the Scottish government’s culture secretary, who met with Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UK, was sent to the rather controversial meeting by none other than First Minister John Swinney himself. Revelations of the encounter have infuriated pro-Palestine party members, with it being understood that hundreds have quit their membership over the matter amidst growing calls for Angus Robertson to resign. Now the latest news that Swinney put his culture secretary up to it has landed the FM in a rather sticky spot…
It emerged last week that Angus Robertson had a ‘secret’ encounter with Daniela Grudsky, after the Scottish government released a press readout from the meet four days after it had taken place and Grudsky shared a picture of herself and Robertson on social media. The culture secretary was quick to receive backlash, with SNP MSP Kevin Stewart quote tweeting the image, writing: ‘I hope Angus Robertson also demanded an immediate ceasefire, castigated the IDF for bombing hospitals and schools and told you that Israel should comply with all of the UN resolutions that have been passed over for decades.’ His colleague Elena Whitham reposted it with a sad face emoji. Brendan O’Hara, SNP MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, even penned a lengthy two-page rant questioning why his party thought it ‘politically…or morally…appropriate to engage in discussion’ with the Israeli deputy ambassador. Good heavens…
Swinney swooped in to Robertson’s defence and said the meeting was ‘necessary’ — while the Scottish government insisted that its position on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was made clear. The situation ramped up further when SNP backbencher John Mason revealed he also met Israel’s deputy ambassador. He then lost the whip on Saturday over ‘utterly abhorrent’ remarks on social media about Gaza in response to online criticism – which he says he stands by. And the heat isn’t off Robertson quite yet either. As reported in the Mail, the SNP’s Dalkeith branch has now tabled a motion of censure against the culture secretary. What a mess…
Nationalists are demanding the First Minister take action — and explain whether his own position is tenable too. There is ‘utter fury’ among the Nats about the fiasco, with fears over plummeting membership numbers as party members threaten to cancel their direct debits. One senior party figure told the Sunday Mail: ‘This revelation will cause more mayhem. Anyone calling for Robertson’s resignation has to call for the First Minister’s as well’. Ex-first minister and current Alba party leader Alex Salmond is adamant that if the FM sacked Robertson for meeting the Israeli diplomat he would also ‘have to sack himself’. Will Swinney bow to the pressure? Stay tuned…
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