Michael Gove calls Scottish border protestors 'bampots'

Michael Gove calls Scottish border protestors 'bampots'

One of Boris Johnson’s closest allies has branded the protestors at the Scottish border, who have said they don't want English visitors carrying coronavirus into Scotland, as “bampots”.

Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove, said a group of pro-independence activists who staged a demonstration on the A1 beneath the official “Welcome To Scotland” sign earlier this month did not speak for Scotland.

The protestors displayed a “keep Scotland Covid free” banner as well as Saltire and Lion Rampant flags while a livestream video of the event showed one protester saying: “Basically what we’re saying here today is stay the f*** out.”

Speaking after a visit to hospitality businesses in Alness, Mr Gove described the small group of protesters as “just a few bampots who don’t speak for Scotland”.

He added: “You will alway find some people in any sitatuion who will engage in these stunts but they don't speak for Scotland and I know that's the view of the First Minister as well.”

The group were widely criticised both by Scottish Government figures and opposition politicians at the time. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf tweeted that “these morons don't represent the Scotland I know and love” while Nicola Sturgeon said: "The people who protested at the border did not speak for me, they were not there on my behalf or communicating a message that I endorse in any way. I would emphatically say I do not endorse that.”

Mr Gove refused to be drawn about how the UK government could refuse a request for a second independence referendum if the SNP won a majority at next year’s Holyrood elections on a manifesto pledge to hold one. "It’s a good question, but it’s a hypothetical one and at the moment I’m concentrating on doing my very best to help Scotland’s economy and citizens cope with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and build back stronger, and my horizons at the moment don’t extend much beyond making sure we do the very best job we can to help the people of Scotland.”

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