Scot in ‘horse penis’ slur to be deported

A SCOTTISH mine worker is to be deported from Kyrgyzstan after comparing the country’s national dish to a horse’s penis on Facebook.

Michael McFeat, 39, was reported to have been detained after posting a picture of Kyrgyz co-workers queuing for a “chuchuk” horsemeat sausage, with a caption comparing the spicy delicacy to a stallion’s genitalia.

The caption was said to have so upset his co-workers that they called a brief strike at the Kumtor goldmine where he works. He later deleted the post and issued an apology on his Facebook page, saying: “I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely appologise [sic] for the comment I made on here about the kygyz [sic]people and horse’s penis. I truly never meant to offened [sic]anyone and im truly sorry as it was never my intension [sic].

“I would also like to say the people in the picture had absolutely nothing to do with it. again im very very sorry.”

According to the BBC’s Central Asian service, Mr McFeat was deported because of incorrect documentation rather than for his comments.

Police are said to have concluded that the Scot was not attempting to incite ethnic violence with his remarks.

Mr McFeat, a welder for Toronto-based Centerra Gold, was reportedly facing up to five years in prison. The father-of-two, from Abernethy, Perthshire, had been working in Kyrgyzstan since March.

Mr McFeat’s parents, John and Marilyn, said their son had simply been praising the chef for an excellent Hogmanay meal, and his remark had been misconstrued.

Mr McFeat, 63, said: “I haven’t spoken to him yet, but he’s coming home as far as I’m concerned, and that’s a great relief to us.

“I don’t want to say too much at the moment, because I don’t want to jeopardise anything.

“But it’s actually such a sin, because he loved working over there and he really loved the people, but it was just that silly statement.

“It’s just one of those things.

“They obviously wouldn’t have discovered the wrong papers if it hadn’t been for all this, but at least he’s safe – that’s the main thing.”

Speaking after Mr McFeat’s arrest, a Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with the local authorities after a British national was detained in Kyrgyzstan and are ready to provide consular assistance.”