An SNP MP has been denounced for evoking a poem about Nazi persecution in his criticism of Tory Brexit plans.
Pete Wishart, who represents Perth and Perthshire North, appeared to make comparisons between Nazi Germany and Brexit Britain in a tweet.
First they came for the berry farm workers. Then they came for the Drs. Next they came for the ….. #toryBrexit #yourUK
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) October 4, 2016
He referenced Martin Niemoller’s poem about persecution in the Third Reich as he reacted to comments made from Conservative ministers during their conference.
Mr Wishart tweeted on Tuesday: “First they came for the berry farm workers. Then they came for the Drs. Next they came for the ….. #toryBrexit #yourUK”.
Peter Grant, the SNP MP for Glenrothes, endorsed the tweet, describing it as “frighteningly accurate”.
For anyone who recognises where this quote is borrowed from, it's frighteningly accurate. https://t.co/dJmfLAKX6K
— Peter Grant MP (@PeterGrantMP) October 4, 2016
Earlier, Andrea Leadsom, the Environment Secretary, suggested that Brits could become fruit-pickers to replace those EU workers who return home after Brexit.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is pledging to make the UK “self-sufficient” for doctors when Britain leaves the EU, as the future of continent-born medics working here hangs in the balance.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw criticised Mr Wishart for his tweet.
“The only people coming for Pete Wishart will be the men in white coats,” he said.
“He’s clearly living on a planet of his own – and a very nasty one at that.”
It is not the first time Mr Niemoller’s poem, called First They Came, has been referenced by a politician.
Last month, Mary Lockhart, a Labour councillor in Fife, apologised for reproducing it in full on social media when she spoke out against Labour members being expelled from the party.
However, there was no apology forthcoming from the SNP.
A spokesman said: “The increasingly right wing and divisive rhetoric emanating from Tory conference is deeply disturbing.
“The UK government should be guaranteeing vital EU workers’ right to remain, rather than threatening them with deportation.”
