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Politicians brand online abuse of Sir Chris Hoy ‘shameful’

PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday January 18, 2013. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday January 18, 2013. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Online abuse of Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy have been branded “shameful” by Scotland Office minister David Mundell.

Sir Chris, who recently retired, had refused to give his views on the independence referendum during a BBC interview but expressed concerns at the lack of first-rate facilities north of the border.

The six-time Olympic medallist said: “It would be harder initially to establish themselves in a new training environment. It’s not to say it’s impossible but it would just be a different challenge.”

Mr Mundell said: “The negative and personal tone of the attacks on Sir Chris is shameful and casts the referendum debate in a poor light.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie added: “Chris Hoy refused to express a strong view on the referendum because he feared a ‘hornet’s nest’. It is little surprise when he faced this abuse when he didn’t get involved.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The debate on the referendum and our nation’s future must be a positive one the people of Scotland deserve no less. We utterly condemn any forms of abuse either on or offline.

“Scottish Government ministers have made clear said that everyone involved on both sides of the debate has a duty to conduct themselves properly.”