'The worst face of nationalism' — Alex Salmond criticised for 'English problem' riot comments
Alex Salmond has provoked a furious political row after insisting the riots that have brought chaos to the streets of Britain were solely an "English problem."
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 11.08.11
- Published online : 11.08.11 @ 09.32am
The First Minister was accused of "gloating" and "point scoring" during controversial comments about the civil unrest that has devastated London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol.
Revealing that Scottish police officers would be deployed to England to help contain any further disorder, the SNP leader spoke of his "frustration" that the riots were being described as taking place in "the UK."
"We know we have a different society in Scotland," he said.
"One of my frustrations yesterday was to see the events being described as riots in the UK.
"Until such time we do have a riot in Scotland, what we are seeing are riots in London and across English cities."
But the First Minister's focus on the geography of the disturbances caused outrage from opposition politicians.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie accused Mr Salmond of "seeking narrow political advantage out of the misery of others."
He said, "Instead of gloating about riots in another part of the UK, the First Minister's efforts would be better spent addressing those deep rooted issues here.
"This is the worst face of nationalism. We deserve better from our First Minister."
'Small-minded'
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray also attacked Mr Salmond's attitude to the rioting, describing it as "small-minded and embarrassing".
Mr Gray said his daughter is to marry a man from Manchester this week and had given his parents a tour of the Scottish Parliament.
He said, "I was proud to show them the Scottish Parliament but embarrassed by the Scottish First Minister's keenness to distance himself from their concerns and portray the riots as an English problem.
"I would have thought the most important thing is to show support for the people in the cities affected.
"There are few Scots who don't have relatives or friends in the places affected south of the border."
He added, "I am sure I speak for most Scots when I say the most important thing is to make our streets safe and prevent further riots.
"He has let himself and Scotland down badly trying to push his narrow party political point at a time of crisis."
'Parochial and petty'
Scotland Office minister David Mundell also criticised the First Minister.
"What is unhelpful is the tone he has adopted in trying to make political capital out of a terrible situation," said the Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.
"It is a parochial and petty view to say he was frustrated by media descriptions of 'riots in the UK' as if that was the most pressing issue we currently face."
He added, "I think most Scots would prefer to see the Scottish Government concentrate on providing practical assistance as part of the UK rather than scoring cheap points."
However a Scottish Government spokesman claimed it was "inaccurate" to describe the disturbances as UK riots.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user StuartBannocks.
09.52am - 11.08.2011 Z Stardust - Perth, Scotland Report This
Maybe someone should remind him who wrecked Manchester not so many years ago.
09.52am - 11.08.2011 Dee4Life - Dundee, Scotland Report This
We have the media reporting "Riots in Northern Ireland" We have the media reporting "Scotland's Shame - Sectarianism" .... but Scots, Irish and the Welsh have all been tarred by the same brush by the media reporting "British Riots" and "UK Riots". Alex Salmond is right to say this is wrong.
10.06am - 11.08.2011 Julia - Dundee, Scotland Report This
He's only saying what most folks are thinking. You could guarantee if this only happened in Scotland, it would have been portrayed as the Scottish riots and some English MP would be saying 'its not the UK or an English problem'.
10.11am - 11.08.2011 Daniel - Dundee/Aberdeen, Scotland Report This
There have only been riots in England so far, they ARE an English problem.
10.12am - 11.08.2011 awayegomin - dundee, scotland Report This
It's Rennie & Gray who seek political advantage. We know if this happened solely up here it would be termed 'Scottish riots.' Argument to the contrary is pointless - fact - riots have been in England, however unpalatable that is to some. No complacency here though, we have our own social issues.
10.13am - 11.08.2011 Ronald Yeoman - Cardenden, United Kingdom Report This
So Gray and Rennie want Alec to go about saying Scotland is as much in the mire as England. Foreign countries advising their citizens not to visit England must be told to make sure Scotland is included in the warning. Iain and Willie will destroy Scottish tourism to defend their union. Stupid moron
10.25am - 11.08.2011 LM - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Alex Salmond is spot on. was thinking the same myself,yesterday while watching the BBC News report on "UK riots" that were happening in towns and cities in England. These riots are uniqely English. Scotland does take ownership of it`s problems with sectarianism,England should do the same.
10.30am - 11.08.2011 scottydog - glasgow, uk Report This
Just shows opposition parties are focused on hiding england same
10.31am - 11.08.2011 Kenny - The Ferry Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
So typically Salmond, he can't help himself. If anything shows Salmond to be short of what could be described as a true leader of a country, this is it. Gangs ran riot in Manchester, and repeatedly clash on Glasgow's streets. What would he say were English politicians to flag this up?
10.31am - 11.08.2011 non-car-user - Dunfermline, Scotland Report This
Alec Salmond has only stated a fact. The riots that have occured in England are not a UK problem. I don't like being tarred with the same brush. The truth obviously hurts the Unionist Rennie and Gray.
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