An election hopeful at the centre of an antisemitism row said living next to the Mossmorran gas plant in Fife was like having Mr Burns from The Simpsons as a neighbour.
Neale Hanvey, who was suspended by the SNP over a controversial social media post, alluded to the nuclear power station boss in the hit US sitcom during a political hustings debate that squarely focused on health concerns around the flare from ExxonMobil’s Cowdenbeath plant.
Around 60 people attended the meeting at Lochgelly town hall on Friday night.
Mr Hanvey, who said he was standing as an independent “following recent events”, was one of five Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency candidates quizzed about Mossmorran.
Brexit, Scottish Independence and even Mr Hanvey’s antisemitism allegations didn’t get a look-in during the hour-long debate, as fears about the gas plant dominated the evening.
The panel of representatives – the Brexit party’s Mitch William did not attend – were asked by resident Jamie Anderson if it was true that ExxonMobile takes school pupils to visit a pond at the plant.
Mr Hanvey said: “We’ve heard Exxon characterised as being a bad neighbour. It’s a bit like Mr Burns in The Simpsons. Would you send your kids to visit Mr Burn’s plant?
“The way to deal with that is to rebuild trust between the community and the plant operator. But it is also important for young people who want to go into STEM industries, that they have access to that.”
Labour’s Lesley Laird, who is fighting to retain her seat after a narrow victory in 2017, said: “During recent episodes of flaring, parents were expressing concern that children were still being taken on visits.
“This gets to the heart of the issue: People feel very concerned about this, and unless you put the assurances in place then it is difficult.”
She said: “None of us want to discourage opportunities for any kind of school visits, but you have to ensure that parents are comfortable that where their children are going is indeed safe.”
Conservative Kathleen Leslie said she was aware the school visits had been going on for some time. “I do not believe that anyone working in the plant or at the school, given the amount of health and safety regulations that we have in this country, would put any children at risk,” she said.
Tim Brett, who stood in for Lib Dem candidate Gill Cole-Hamilton, said: “I’m sure a proper risk assessment would have been done, as no one would want to expose their children to any risks.
“I think the company has a long way to regain the trust of the community, however.”
The Green Party’s Scott Rutherford added: “Investment in STEM subjects is hugely important, especially because there is such a gender disparity.
“But don’t exploit children for a photo opportunity.”
Mr Hanvey, who has apologised “unreservedly” for sharing a contentious article about Jewish investor George Soros in 2017, continues to contest the seat as an pro-independence candidate but without the SNP’s support. He is still listed as an SNP candidate on the ballot paper.
