SNP urged to stop selling 'tasteless' face masks branded with party logo

SNP bosses are being urged to stop selling face masks branded with the party's logo.

SNP Face Mask for sale on the SNP store - Scottish N Proud Face Covering

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Annie Wells branded the move a "tasteless venture" - saying by selling the items the party was profiting from a public health measure brought in by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Ms Wells has now written to SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - who is also Ms Sturgeon's husband.

She urged him to stop sales of the face coverings immediately, and also donate the proceeds of any sales already made to "causes fighting coronavirus".

SNP Face Mask for sale on the SNP store

The merchandise section of the SNP website has a number of face coverings supporters can buy, with both masks costing £8 and "multi factional headwear" priced at £14.

Different designs are available, featuring the party's logo, a Saltire flag pattern, or the SNP tartan.

Ms Wells said: "Profiting from a national crisis is a pretty tasteless move from the SNP.

"It seems that in their rush to make some money the SNP has forgotten that thousands of people have died from Covid, causing extreme suffering to their friends and families.

"As a result, I have written to Mr Murrell, the chief executive of the SNP to ask him to remove these items from the extensive merchandise that the SNP already offers."

In that letter she argued that profiting from the Covid-19 pandemic would be a "tasteless venture".

She told Mr Murrell: "I'm sure you are aware that by selling these facemasks you stand to profit, both financially and politically, from a public health measure imposed by your own party.

"I would therefore urge you to stop this immediately, and as a gesture of good will, donate the proceeds to causes fighting coronavirus."

An SNP spokesman said: “Just like football clubs and many others, we’ve launched our own branded face coverings. We would encourage everyone to help suppress the virus by following the guidance on face coverings.”