SNP call for Ian Smart apology over Games tweet

THE SNP has called on a prominent Labour figure to apologise over an “offensive” tweet about athletes in the Commonwealth Games and the independence debate.

The tweet and ex-law society chief Ian Smart, inset. Picture: TSPL

Ian Smart, a lawyer who has appeared as a referendum pundit on TV, prompted a storm of protest among Nationalists over the tweet on Thursday night.

It stated: “So, two black English lassies cheered all the way round Hampden. I suspect Eck is crying into his soup.”

Mr Smart, a former President of the Law Society of Scotland, previously provoked controversy on Twitter when he suggested last year that foreigners would be targeted if independence failed to deliver economic benefits.

An SNP Spokesperson said of the latest row: “Ian Smart’s ridiculous and offensive comments are beneath contempt.

“The Commonwealth Games are a fantastic celebration of sporting success - there is no place for misguided and offensive views of this nature.

“Ian Smart should reflect on what he has said and apologise.”

Mr Smart has stood as an election candidate for Scottish Labour in the past, and is a noted ally of former First Minister Lord McConnell.