Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has failed to condemn ”delinquent” St Andrews students who burned an effigy of Barack Obama.
First Minister Alex Salmond led the attacks on the young Conservatives who caused outrage across the globe by setting fire to a figure of the US President on the town’s East Sands beach.
The SNP leader said the behaviour of the university’s Conservative and Unionist Association must not be allowed to damage Scotland’s international reputation.
The association has a tradition of burning effigies of political figures, with previous incidents including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
”There is, sadly, a long history of juvenile delinquency among the Conservative Association at St Andrews,” said Mr Salmond, a graduate of the Fife university. ”This must not be allowed to taint the rest of the student body, Scotland’s oldest university, or indeed Scotland itself.
”As well as the apology, there also needs to be an absolute assurance of no repetition.”
Friday’s incident has since received wide coverage by media outlets in the US, where St Andrews is best known for being where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met.
But Ms Davidson, who was elected to lead the Scottish Conservatives earlier this month, declined to comment on the incident on Wednesday.
Instead a party spokesman issued a short statement. It read: ”This was undoubtedly a stupid act and the St Andrews Conservative Association has recognised that.
”The US and President Obama are important allies to the British Government and as such it is only right that they have apologised unreservedly for any offence this ill-judged action has caused.”
Labour MSP John Park described the response as ”inadequate,” adding: ”The Prime Minister, Ruth Davidson and the Conservative Party must take disciplinary action against their activists.”
North East Fife SNP MSP Rod Campbell said the issue raised questions over Ms Davidson’s leadership.
”The silence from the Tories in Scotland, under the new leadership of Ruth Davidson, is deafening,” he said. ”This horrible act presents an opportunity for Ms Davidson to lead from the front by condemning and stamping out such offensive behaviour and actions.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: ”Respect for political opponents is essential in a thriving democracy. Ruth Davidson needs to clamp down firmly so that this kind of behaviour is not repeated.”
The developments came after Matthew Marshall, president of the association, admitted burning the effigy had been ”a stupid thing to do.”
He said: ”President Obama is an important ally to the British Government. It was a stupid thing to do and we apologise for any offence caused.”
A spokesman for the university said: ”We are aware of reports of this incident and have asked to meet the society president to discuss the very understandable concerns which these reports have raised.
”Until that meeting has taken place it would be inappropriate to make further comment.”
St Andrews Students’ Union said those who took part in the effigy burning ”don’t represent St Andrews students.”
A statement from the Student Representative Council said: ”As students we believe in political debate, with engaging those who disagree with us, and that all students at St Andrews have a valid opinion to contribute.
”While it does not violate any laws, we believe that the burning of political or public figures in effigy can be an act of hate, stifles productive engagement and can be offensive.
”We believe that St Andrews students should hold ourselves to a higher standard and actively demonstrate that we are ready to engage with and respect the opinions of others.”
Director of representation at the union Sam Fowles said: ”I do not believe this was a racist act but I don’t believe that makes it any less disgusting. Student representatives have shown that the vast majority of St Andrews students are much better than this sort of puerile and offensive behaviour.”