An Ayrshire bowler has been kicked off the Scotland Commonwealth Games team for posting allegedly racist remarks on social media.
Para bowler Garry Hood has been left out of the Scotland bowls team vying for medals in Birmingham — after posting controversial remarks about Prime Minister hopeful Rishi Sunak and Scottish health secretary, Humza Yousaf.
Hood, 61, from Mauchline, who plays for Ayr Craigie Bowling Club, posted a message about the two politicians on his Facebook page, followed by an angry emoji.
Governing body Bowls Scotland has now omitted Hood from the team for Birmingham and launched an investigation into the post.
But the player claimed he was ‘speaking his mind’ and that his comments were ‘free speech.’
In a social media update Hood said: “Anyone who knows me will know I speak my mind.
“This transcends everything in life as free speech. A basic right of every individual.”
The post goes on: “For clarity, I’ve given no opinion on the post, or indeed said I’d be against Rishi Sunak being our next PM, Islamist or not.
“My support for him can be found on my social media, and my support started soon into the Covid-19 pandemic, as he supported many thousands of people and businesses through the pandemic.
“Since Boris Johnston resigned, Rishi has been favourite for PM, and all I’ve done is reiterated this, no matter his colour, creed or religion.
“I post this to let my friends know what’s going on, as my phone hasn’t stopped ringing and pinging since yesterday.”
His post adds: “I wish my colleagues all the very best at Birmingham 2022. Bring back the gold yins!”
Hood was due to contest the Men’s Para Pairs with Kevin Wallace of Clackmannan BC.
The controversial post has since been deleted.
Mr Sunak is, in fact, a Hindu and not Islamic.
A spokesperson for Bowls Scotland said they were still in the middle of a disciplinary process and were limited as to what they could say.
However, a statement read: “Bowls Scotland is aware of messages which have been posted on social media. We are working with Commonwealth Games Scotland to investigate the issue further.
“Bowls Scotland is firm in our belief that we welcome participants from all communities, nations and backgrounds and there is no room for racism in our sport or in society. We will make no further comment on this incident at this time.”
Some of Hood’s followers described the news to dump him from the Commonwealth Games Para bowls team as a “disgraceful decision,” while other supporters said the ‘snowflakes have taken over.’
Hood was due to make an emotional return to the Scotland Commonwealth Games team this summer – 28 years after his first appearance.
He was struck down by rare debilitating illness Guillain-Barré Syndrome, coupled with Lyme Disease, in September 2015 and spent 11 months in hospital.
However, he battled back after joining the Bowls Scotland Para Bowls programme and showed amazing resilience to return to the game he loved.
Lawn Bowls will get underway on the Leamington Spa greens on Friday, July 29.
Ayrshire Live did speak to Mr Hood about the controversy but he would only say that he is working on an appeal against his expulsion.
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