AN SNP backbench rebel has hit back over suggestions he should be disciplined for raucous and dramatic protests over Scottish Government policy.
Former minister Fergus Ewing was harshly criticised in a “polemic” by former SNP spin doctor Murray Foote, who called on Humza Yousaf and the party’s high command to crack down on the MSP’s protests.
The Inverness MSP, who quit as rural affairs secretary after bullying allegations were levelled against him, made headlines earlier this month when he ripped up the Government’s plans for a highly controversial fishing ban to protect the environment.
Writing in the Daily Record, Foote – who edited the paper at the time it published the infamous “Vow” front page – suggested Ewing, son of Winnie, was in “the throes of a 24-month huff since he left the Government”.
He added: “Or perhaps he believes, as a son of the venerated Ewing dynasty, his surname entitles him to behave as he chooses, free of consequence. If so, it’s time he was dissuaded of the notion.
“If Ewing is continually let off the hook, others will believe they too can act with impunity – and that again only benefits the opposition.”
But Ewing hit back at the attack, saying Foote was playing “the man not the ball” and adding: “He can carry on with his polemics. I’ll carry on speaking up for Scotland.”
Ewing said: “I was elected, and then on five occasions re-elected, to represent my constituents and to stand up for Scotland.
“That’s what I try to do to the best of my ability. I make no apology for campaigning for hard-working Scots and putting people first.
“I’ve campaigned for our fisherman and oil and gas workers for fifty years and value the work they do for Scotland. I’ll continue to do that.
“For 50 years the SNP has stood up for our fishermen and we must continue to do so. Likewise for nearly 50 years we’ve argued that Scotland must use our own resources including oil and gas. This week a poll showed a huge majority of Scot’s continue to hold that view.
“I’m campaigning for the dualling of the A9 and A96 where we have, I’m afraid, not delivered yet on our pledges.
“Mr Foote chooses not to mention any of these policies long-standing planks of SNP campaigns. Instead, he makes an entirely personal attack.
“In my experience of politics, he who plays the man not the ball does so because he’s losing the game and the debate.
“In fact, he hasn’t even tried to argue a case. He can carry on with his polemics. I’ll carry on speaking up for Scotland.”
In the Record piece, Foote suggests the party leadership could “wipe clean the slate of recent misdemeanours and start over with the warning that future serious breaches will be met with equally serious consequences”.
But he warned: “Time needs to be called on the behaviour of politicians who mistakenly believe they are bigger than the party.
“The clock is ticking.”
Foote left his position as the SNP’s head of communications after he gave the media misleading information about the party’s membership during the leadership race.
An SNP spokesperson said: “SNP MSPs are fully focussed on delivering for the people of Scotland in the midst of a Tory cost of living crisis and damaging Brexit backed by Labour.”
