The SNP have been branded ”Twits” after being taken in by a spoof social media account.
A Twitter exchange between ”Sir Ian Blair” and Nationalist MP Angus MacNeil was highlighted by the party as a major endorsement of its policing policies.
However, the social media account, set up in the name of the former commissioner of the Met Police, is clearly marked as a fake.
That did not stop a press release from the SNP, quoting the account and saying Sir Ian had ”hailed the Scottish Government’s approach to policing.”
The spoof Twitter profile had sent a message to Mr MacNeil saying: ”You folks up there treat your police with more dignity and respect for the risk their vocation holds.”
An SNP press release lauded the comments, unaware the party was being duped.
A statement said: ”Sir Ian Blair’s comments reflect the stark contrast in what is happening to policing north and south of the border.”
Mr MacNeill laughed off the incident, saying: ”I think police in general are delighted with the SNP and the comedians, and I include myself amongst them, are even more delighted.”
George McIrvine, chairman of Scottish policing and justice committee for trade union Unison, called the mistake a ”schoolboy error not confirming your source.”
Lib Dem Justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes MSP said: ”At this rate we can expect an endorsement of their childcare policy from Mary Poppins and praise for their transport strategy from Thomas the Tank Engine.”
Scottish Labour’s Lewis Macdonald said: ”I’m sure for a moment, Kenny MacAskill thought that he had found a reason to look even more self-satisfied than usual instead he and his colleagues look like Twitter twits.”
Main photo by Michael Stephens/PA