Nicola Sturgeon has insisted there may be “no connection” between the battle in Ukraine and the marketing campaign for Scottish independence after outstanding SNP members appeared to make comparisons between the 2.
SNP president Mike Russell was criticised after he used his column within the Nationwide newspaper to liken Ukraine probably being dominated by Russia to Scotland remaining within the UK as a “results of an eight-year-old referendum”.
MSP Michelle Thomson additionally apologised after tweeting about Ukraine’s software to hitch the European Union accompanied by the message: “Simply goes to point out what political will can obtain. Bear in mind this Scotland!”
In his column printed final week, Russell wrote: “The suitable of individuals to decide on how they're ruled and by whom is an absolute and should be universally utilized, respecting each democratic mandate.
“Nor can that proper be circumscribed by historical past – simply because one thing was, doesn’t imply it'll all the time proceed to be so whether or not that be rule from Moscow, or the results of an eight-year-old referendum.”
The remark was branded “crass” by Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie, whereas the Scottish Authorities’s Structure Secretary Angus Robertson stated there may be “no direct comparability” between the scenario in Ukraine and Scotland.
Thomson, the MSP for Falkirk East, subsequently deleted her put up and wrote: “I famous after which tweeted one thing earlier that was insensitive concerning Ukraine. Like everybody, my first ideas are sympathy for the individuals there.
“Apologies if I offended anybody.”
Requested concerning the remarks, Sturgeon instructed the PA information company it could be “overstating issues” to recommend that comparisons had been made, and he or she added: “There isn't a connection between a battle in Ukraine and the help and marketing campaign for independence in Scotland.
“What I feel ought to unite all of us proper now are some elementary values, the values that underpin I feel a lot of our democracy in Scotland – and positively underpin my celebration and the independence motion – the dedication to democracy, freedom, the rule of worldwide regulation and the worth of the world coming collectively in solidarity.
“These are the values that we maintain expensive and these are the values that individuals bravely in Ukraine are standing up for within the hardest conceivable circumstances.
“However we must always all bear in mind proper now that is about Ukraine combating for these values and our duty is to do every little thing we will to help them.”
Responding to Sturgeon’s feedback, Rennie stated: “I’m glad Nicola Sturgeon has made it clear to her supporters that there isn't a connection between the battle in Ukraine and Scottish independence.
“I hope this places an finish to crass and insensitive remarks so we will now unite behind the individuals of Ukraine.
“I've met individuals from Ukraine who reside in Scotland. They requested for our assist, they're deeply anxious and upset, and it's our duty to work collectively to assist them.”
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