Cartoon gaffe overshadows Lib Dems’ home rule day

Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has apologised over a cartoon published online by the party that depicts First Minister Alex Salmond dressed in Arab-style clothing.

Mr Rennie said he was “embarrassed” by the gaffe and new procedures will be put in place to avoid a repeat.

The cartoon coincides with Mr Salmond’s visit to Qatar and talks about the Gulf state’s hardline approach to gay rights and its use of the death penalty.

Mr Salmond hailed the similarities between the countries, and the cartoon questioned whether this was the First Minister’s vision of an independent Scotland.

Mr Rennie said: “I apologise to anyone who was offended by it – it wasn’t right and it shouldn’t have gone out.”

The cartoon was posted on Twitter and Mr Rennie’s Facebook account by the Lib Dem leader’s team in the party headquarters.

He said: “It was a mistake, it wasn’t approved by me and it shouldn’t have been published because it’s not actually right to compare countries like that in the way we did.

“We regard ourselves as having very high standards. It’s very important in political campaigning these days to make sure that we keep to the highest standards, which is why I’ve taken action to put it right.

“I’ll be having further discussions to make sure that we get our approval procedures right. Our approval procedures are very, very strict, but obviously on this occasion with campaign materials it slipped through the net. I’m embarrassed by it and I would rather it never had happened but it’s important that we put these things right.”

A spokesman for the SNP said: “We note that Mr Rennie has withdrawn the image and consider the matter closed.”

Mr Rennie said it was “frustrating” that the row emerged on the day the party unveiled its home rule commission aimed at securing greater powers for the Scottish Parliament.

It will be headed by Sir Menzies Campbell after party members voted to establish a body to examine the distribution of powers between London, Edinburgh and local councils.

Sir Menzies said home rule, under which Scotland would gain more powers but remain part of the UK, was a better option than independence, which would bring “uncertainty”.

The North East Fife MP said: “The Scottish Liberal Democrats have an important role to play in the debate about the future of Scotland. Home rule has the same significance today as it had historically and, as opinion poll after opinion poll shows, best represents the views of the majority of people in Scotland.

“Continuing partnership within the United Kingdom and, consistent with that relationship, increased responsibility for our own domestic affairs is the clearest way forward.”

He added: “Home rule meets aspirations and brings certainty where the status quo is inadequate and independence brings uncertainty.”

Mr Rennie said he was pleased Sir Menzies agreed to chair the new body because he would be a “fantastic asset” as Scottish Liberal Democrats set out their “vision for Scotland’s future”.