Letter: Iain Gray's insults

Brian Monteith, policy director of Think Scotland, wrote: "Iain Gray can offer solemn sagacity that the public might believe is more in keeping, more restrained and more appropriate" (Comment, 3 January). While Mr Monteith may have been caught in a time lag he can't fully be excused for this inaccurate comment.

Iain Gray MSP, the only unionist who could replace First Minister Alex Salmond in May, has serious form which indicates that despite a private education, a recent makeover and coaching, he lacks "sagacity", restraint and appropriateness.

Mr Gray has criticised and insulted friendly, neighbouring, independent states and, with his former superior, Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, was taken to task by the Norwegian ambassador for their criticisms of Norway.

Now it is the turn of Montenegro to be insulted by Gray. He incorrectly referred to Montenegro's involvement in wars, ethnic cleansing and a war crimes tribunal. He should now explain how, since the Act of Union, Scotland, as part of Britain, has been involved in more wars and conflicts than any other nation on Earth.

He should explain who cleared the Diego Garcians from their homeland in an act which could be described as "ethnic cleansing". He should explain how war crimes tribunals are not beyond the bounds of possibility and he should apologise to Montenegro and his Labour leader Mr Miliband.

I had hoped that, with the demise of the Blair, Brown, Mandelson and Campbell cabal, Labour's contempt for voters had gone. However, with the appointment of Wendy Alexander to the Calman Commission steering committee, and this latest attempt, by Gray, to mislead Scottish voters, its contempt lives on.

With the exception of Mr Malcolm Chisholm MSP, the Labour group in Scotland is an embarrassment to the founders of theirparty, Britain and Scotland - unfortunately, and as they have proved, their concern for Scotland extends only as far as votes.

Bill McLean

Rosemill Court

Dunfermline, Fife