Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands & Islands SNP MSP, and Gaelic enthusiast, Dave Thompson has today condemned the attacks of Labour Councillor Deirdre Mackay, who has criticised Highland Council's efforts to provide accommodation and support for pupils in Gaelic-medium schools, as unwarranted discrimination and thinly disguised racism.

At a recent Brora Community Council meeting, the East Sutherland and Edderton Labour Cllr labelled the Council's efforts to develop Gaelic education in the area as elitist as well as criticised the provisions introduced by the last Labour-Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive to support the languages promotion.

In response, Dave Thompson has lodged a motion in Parliament condemning the attacks on one of Scotland's native tongues and calling for Labour MSPs to distance themselves from her unacceptable attitude towards Gaelic. Mr Thompson has also called on Cllr Mackay's employer, Labour MSP Peter Peacock, to consider her position.

Mr Thompson said: "These remarks are very thinly, and poorly, disguised racism.

"Her comments are completely unacceptable and should be condemned by all right thinking people.  They have echoes of the proscription of all things Highland following the '45 and must not be allowed to go unchallenged.

"The Councillor's attitude shows an ignorance of Scotland's culture and heritage and it is important for all MSPs, especially Labour MSPs, to quickly distance themselves from her extreme, anti-Gaelic position.

"This is especially the case for her employer, Labour MSP Peter Peacock, and the Labour group on Highland Council, who must give serious consideration to her position.

"Cllr Mackay has put herself in an invidious position.  She must immediately retract her remarks and apologise for her intemperate outburst."

Notes:

Dave Thompson's Parliamentary motion:

Gaelic Promotion, Not Proscription S3M-05683 Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
That the Parliament deplores the statements made by Highland Labour Councillor Deirdre Mackay that condemned Highland Council’s efforts to provide accommodation and teaching for pupils in Gaelic-medium schools and considers them ill-informed; distances itself from her criticisms of efforts to support one of Scotland’s native tongues, which many view as having suffered discrimination for centuries; condemns her negative comments toward Gaelic plans introduced by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat-led Scottish Executive; calls on Labour MSPs to disassociate themselves from what could be viewed as thinly disguised racism; supports promotion of Gaelic, not proscription, and congratulates Highland Council for working to increase provision of Gaelic-medium education at schools across the Highlands.

To see further details of Deirdre Mackay's comments see here.