|
|
"A collaborative political resource." |
SNP's Ian Blackford accused of disfiguring last months of Charles Kennedy's life
|
| Parent(s) |
Race
-
|
| Contributor | IndyGeorgia |
| Last Edited | IndyGeorgia Oct 10, 2019 04:30pm |
| Category | News |
| News Date | Aug 01, 2018 12:00pm |
| Description | SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has been accused of “an odious attempt to re-write history” by playing down claims that he led a vendetta against the late Charles Kennedy.
The accusation was made by former Labour MP Brian Wilson who said the last months of Mr Kennedy's life were disfigured by the “disgraceful” campaign pursued by the SNP.
Mr Wilson said Mr Blackford led a campaign that “unleashed a torrent of abuse” against the former Lib Dem leader.
Mr Kennedy lost his Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat to Mr Blackford in the 2015 General Election after a bitter and deeply unpleasant campaign. Shortly afterwards the former MP died in Fort William following his long battle against alcoholism.
Writing in The Times, Mr Wilson was responding to an interview with Mr Blackford carried by the newspaper at the weekend.
When questioned about the campaign, Mr Blackford said he was “proud” of the way the SNP conducted the campaign. He claimed to have no regrets when Mr Kennedy died claiming there was “absolutely no issue” between the Lib Dem and himself..
But Mr Wilson said: “Nobody has sought to draw a direct link between Charles's death and the behaviour of Mr Blackford and his supporters during the campaign. But what is beyond doubt is that the closing months of Charles's life were disfigured by a vendetta that was as disgraceful as it was unnecessary.
“As soon as Mr Blackford was selected as prospective SNP candidate in January 2015 he launched the hashtag `#Where'sCharlie?', which became dog-whistle politics that undoubtedly unleashed a torrent of abuse.
“Anyone paying attention knew exactly where Charlie was. He was battling alcoholism. He was mourning the death of his parents. He was grieving the early demise of his closest friend. He was desperate to spend time with his young son. And he still had a better Commons voting record than any SNP MP.” |
| Article | Read Article |
|
|
