Sketch: Salmond ‘shamed’ by personal jibe

ALEX Salmond is not easily rattled in his weekly joust with opposition leaders at First Minister’s Questions – but it happened yesterday.Labour leader Iain Gray had mentioned anti-bigotry organisation Nil by Mouth’s concerns over the current anti-bigotry legislation.

It prompted the SNP leader to remind MSPs that the organisation was headed up by Dave Scott, a former researcher to ex-Labour MSP Bill Butler.

Furious catcalls followed from Labour back-benchers. They are normally more reserved than their Nationalist counterparts, but were outraged Salmond should turn personal on such a sensitive issue.

Michael McMahon bellowed “shame” at the First Minister, while Hugh Henry was warned to refrain himself as he yelled: “That’s beneath you.”

Salmond appeared startled. He is usually masterful at reading the moment and striking the right note. Perhaps he realised this issue, Scotland’s national shame to many, wasn’t appropriate for petty jibes.

Indeed it was the second time in as many weeks he has used the unique platform he enjoys at First Minister Question’s to attack critics. Widely respected economist Professor John McLaren, of Glasgow University’s Centre for Public Policy for Regions, was the victim last week, with Salmond reminding MSPs that he had – long ago – worked for ex-Labour First Minister Henry McLeish. It came after the academic had criticised SNP economic policy.

Salmond did gather himself yesterday to deliver an impassioned defence of the legislation, pointing out that anti-sectarian campaigner Neil Scott, whose murdered son Mark led to Nil by Mouth’s establishment, backed the measures. But Iain Gray wasn’t forgetting the earlier slur.

“This is the second week in a row that the First Minister has cast aspersions on people who have commented on his political initiatives. He should be ashamed of himself,” he said.