Former SNP MSP apologises to “reap what you sow” tweet

The Herald Scotland reports on the apology advanced by a former SNP MSP, Dave Thompson, who responded to a tweet by Labour MSP, Anas Sarwar, detailing the anti-Muslim abuse he had received following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election with the message “You reap what you sow”.

Anas Sarwar, the former MP for Glasgow Govan and current Labour MSP for Glasgow posted on Twitter: “In 24hrs I’ve been called left wing zionist, radical Muslim extremist, right wing elitist & hater of Scotland. Yep only an American problem..”

In response to the tweet, Thompson, who represented the Highlands constituency between 2007 and 2011, wrote: “You reap what you sow – didn’t you say ScotParl was not democratic but happily took list seat – principles?!”

Mr Thompson, who was convener of the Christians for Independence group in the 2014 referendum, was urged to apologise for the remark by the Scottish Labour Party while another Twitter user responded to his tweet with the message: “Very Christian of you.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Labour said: “Rather than stand against abuse and intolerance, this nationalist politician seems to want to stoke it.

“He may no longer be in the Scottish Parliament, but Dave Thompson is a high-profile public figure and the SNP should distance the party from his comments at the earliest opportunity.”

A spokesperson for the SNP told the paper: “Dave has clarified his earlier comment, and apologised directly to Anas.”