THE PUBLIC have slammed Ayr MP Bill Grant for appearing to fall asleep during a debate in Parliament.

An image, that was passed onto the Ayr Advertiser, appears to show the Conservative MP pictured sitting behind Moray MP  Douglas Ross with his eyes closed during the debate on pensions equality for women. 

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP Jeane Freeman hit out at the MP for disrespecting the WASPI campaign.

She said: “Not only did Bill Grant MP refuse to sign the WASPI pledge to support WASPI women in their fight for pension equality a few months ago, he fails to give the WASPI debate in parliament the attention it deserves by falling asleep on the job.”

However, Mr Grant has claimed that he was not sleeping during this debate and that he was “listening intently”.

He explained: “People who know me or who have observed me at meetings tell me I have an occasional mannerism when listening intently or speaking passionately.

“This involves closing my eyes - as well as sometimes gritting my teeth and screwing up my face. I’m sure it’s not pretty to watch, and I apologise for that.

“However, I went along to this debate to listen carefully to arguments on all sides – and not for a siesta. As I have said before, I share the WASPI aspiration of achieving a fair outcome in pensions for all UK citizens. I also share the UK government aim of securing a sustainable state pension. If I can raise issues to help redress inequality, I will do so.”

Despite his explanation for his actions in the photograph, the MP received backlash from social media.

One said: “At Wellington Square Council Chambers, he flung the WASPI campaign out twice and stated that he was more concerned with the residents in higher band council tax bands having to take a rise in council tax. He doesn’t understand the issue on poverty and implications of the campaign.”

One user defended the MP, explaining: “The entire debate is online. Far be it for me to defend a Tory, but the video doesn’t show him sleeping.”