A Perthshire MSP has hit out at a decision by Stagecoach to introduce a ban on faith-based adverts on its fleets, describing the move as “short-sighted and discriminatory”.
Murdo Fraser was reacting to the announcement from the coach company that religion has been added to its ‘restricted categories’, prompting criticism from several religious groups.
Stagecoach was founded in Perth in 1980 by Sir Brian Souter and his sister Dame Ann Gloag, who are both devout Christians.
After growing to become the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, it was sold in 2022 to a German investment fund that has now scrapped all religious advertising.
‘Sign of the times’
Mr Fraser, who is himself a Christian, described the decision bas “short-sighted and discriminatory”.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said: “It is quite sad, but unfortunately, is a sign of the times, that the present owners of Stagecoach have gone down this route.”
He added: “As many residents in Perth and Kinross will know, Dame Ann Gloag and Sir Brian Souter both have strong Christian roots, and I’m sure they will be appalled at this decision.”
Shona Haslam, chief executive of the Christian charity Logos Scotland, told The Times it was “regrettable” that Stagecoach has taken the decision after “many years of running these adverts”.
It’s understood charity Hope by the Roadside approached Stagecoach to ask if they would promote their Christian message on their fleet but were turned down, with First Glasgow running the campaign instead.
While long recognised as a successful businessman, Sir Brian’s political interventions have prompted fierce criticism in the past.
In 2000, he unsuccessfully campaigned against plans to abolish “Section 28” – the key part of a law preventing local authorities from “promoting homosexuality”.
A committed Christian, he personally funded a private referendum on the issue to gauge public opinion.
‘Neutral to all faiths’
A Stagecoach spokeswoman told the newspaper the company’s advertising policy was regularly reviewed and its current position was that it “remains neutral to all faiths”.
She added: “It has been decided the fairest way to uphold this neutrality is to no longer support religious messaging in our advertising, which aligns with our broader policy on other restricted categories.”
The firm, which is headquartered in Perth, did not clarify which other groups or themes were counted as “restricted”.
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