A TORY MSP have been rebuked after claiming there have been “inconsistencies” in “SNP-inflicted” lockdowns in different parts of Scotland.
Rachael Hamilton was met with cries of derision as she made the claims in a fiery Holyrood exchange with Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
Yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon condemned as “patent nonsense” suggestions from Unionist council leaders in Aberdeen that the city has been treated unfairly during the coronavirus crisis.
Hamilton, however, insisted the SNP leader was wrong to dismiss the complaints.
The Tory MSP said: “Yesterday, the First Minister flippantly dismissed genuine concerns from Aberdeen showing this SNP Government to dismiss the concerns of the impact of shutting down businesses for three weeks. These concerns are not pantent [sic] nonsense. People's livelihoods are at risk.
“There are inconsistencies in the SNP approach to Aberdeen and Glasgow and this sets unfair precedents and anxiety for potential future lockdowns.”
“Can I ask the Finance Secretary Secretary – with Covid cases on the rise again and my constituents rightly worried – in the event of an SNP-inflicted lockdown, will the Scottish Government commit to publishing supporting evidence to back up their decisions, but moreover, tell us when a financial lockdown support package will be created and will be available to cushion the financial impact and blow on the Scottish economy?”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon rejects Aberdeen council claims of unfair virus treatment
Forbes gave Hamilton’s assertions short shrift.
She responded: “What is absolutely patent nonsense is assuming that we base decisions when it comes to localised lockdown on anything other than cold, hard evidence.
“And when it comes to local restrictions and business support, perhaps you could join me in asking, pleading with the UK Government to provide the clarity that I've asked for when it comes to the consequentials coming from the local restrictions support grant.
“When it came to the Aberdeen lockdown, we moved ahead of the UK Government to put in place the £1 million support, but Rachael Hamilton knows full well that with a fixed budget, without any fiscal flexibilities, the only source of funding we have is consequentials. As soon as those are available, we'll be able to develop our equivalent scheme.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel