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The SNP’s struggles with sectarianism

BBC

It’s not been a great week for James Dornan. On Saturday the SNP MSP was forced to apologise (again) for suggesting Lothian Buses’ decision to cancel travel services over anti-social behaviour was linked to St Patrick’s Day, with the implication that the company blamed Catholics for the problem. 

Then on Wednesday Mr S showed the lengths the Hate-Finder General had gone to investigate the now debunked Tik Tok video of Rangers players allegedly singing a sectarian song, requesting information for his constituents which he then appears to have not subsequently disclosed.

Now one of Steerpike’s readers has got in touch to point out Dornan’s comments made during the Holyrood election back in May. The gaffe-prone Glaswegian spoke at a hustings organised by the Irish Voice newspaper at which he said that the terms ‘anti-Catholicism’ and ‘anti-Irish racism’ would be used by the SNP in place of ‘sectarianism.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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