A Fife councillor is facing a backlash after posting a selfie outside a gym in England, while facilities remain closed north of the border.
Conservative councillor Darren Watt defended his weekend trip to Carlisle, where he took to Twitter to post a picture of himself outside Bannatyne’s Health Club and Spa.
I'm going away for a short break.😊
Any guesses where am going? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CLfTOogXAk
— Darren Watt – Cowdenbeath 2021 🏴🇬🇧 (@DarrenWatt2021) August 2, 2020
The keen gym user tweeted: “You can take our gyms, leisure centres and health clubs but you’ll never take our freedom!”
You can take our gyms, leisure centres and health clubs but you'll never take our freedom! 💪😁🏴@DuncanBannatyne @Bannatyne 🏋️♂️ pic.twitter.com/LinsWiLCE5
— Darren Watt – Cowdenbeath 2021 🏴🇬🇧 (@DarrenWatt2021) August 2, 2020
Mr Watt, who represents Cowdenbeath, was quickly condemned by people who accused him of being selfish and caring more about using the gym than public health.
Fife SNP councillor Alice McGarry branded Mr Watt an “eejit” and called on him to resign his seat.
She said: “The bairns go back to school next week but are being endangered by eejits like Tory councillor Darren Watt.
“He thinks it’s fine to go to a high risk area in England simply to put two fingers up to the Scottish Government and he boasts about his idiocy, posting selfies and issuing press releases.
“He risks bringing the virus back to Fife. An absolute disgrace who ought to resign now.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week urged Scots not to travel to north west England after a spike in coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and parts of Lancashire.
Mr Watt said the travel ban did not include Carlisle, where he went for a “much needed rest” after months of home schooling his children, on top of carrying out his councillor duties.
He said he had chosen to use the gym only because it happened to be close to his hotel.
“I have been working tirelessly from home since March and I decided to take this very rare opportunity to get away for a couple of days for much needed rest, recovery and relaxation but also to catch up on my backlog of emails and casework.
“I have been caring for and homeschooling my children on top of my duties as a local councillor.
“This has proven to be extremely challenging considering we’ve all been stuck under the one roof for some time.
“I am visiting Carlisle as it is a beautiful and welcoming part of north west England and is easily accessible with many great local amenities and attractions nearby, including a Bannatyne’s Health Club which is literally a stone’s throw from the hotel I’m staying in.”
