'People have no idea how fat they are': Conservative MSP candidate suspended after food bank comments

A Scottish Conservative MSP candidate has been suspended by the party after making derogatory comments about people who use food banks.

Craig Ross, who was standing for Glasgow Pollok in the upcoming Holyrood elections, has come under fire for comments made on his podcast.

In an episode from June 29, 2020, Ross references a Channel Four documentary that showed parents who relied on food banks to feed their family.

He commented: “Almost everybody in that world are over grossly overweight.

“People have no idea how fat they are.

“If Channel 4 news is having a reasonable go at showing the reality of food bank usage...the biggest risk is not starvation, but diabetes.”

He then took issue with footballer Marcus Rashford, who is campaigning for children to be given free meals throughout the holidays.

Scottish Conservative MSP hopeful has been suspended by the party.

His campaign has been backed by Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

He said: "Has Marcus Rashford stood for election to anything?

“Should we turn our welfare policy upside down in order to suit Rashford’s view as to what would be decent.”

He also takes against the human rights act, saying that it is an “obscenity” and “inconsistent with democratic government.”

Scotland’s Justice Minister Humza Yousaf reacted to the comments by tweeting: “The @ScotTories must sack their candidate for Glasgow Pollok.

"His remarks that those who use foodbanks 'are far from starving' are utterly heartless.”

The Scottish Conservatives suspended Ross on Friday morning.

A spokesperson said: “We have suspended this candidate and an investigation is under way. These unacceptable comments do not reflect the views of the party."

The comments from Ross came to light in an article by the Daily Record.

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