Doug's Jingoistic Drivel
I don't know the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Douglas Chapman, but I have to say he sounds like a complete buffoon having read his appalling tweet about the comparative Coronavirus death rates between Scotland and England.
According to the latest statistics Scotland has a higher fatality rate than Northern Ireland, for example, and our record does not compare too well with other comparable countries around the world.
But that's a matter for sober reflection at the appropriate time - it's certainly not a cause for jingoistic celebration or condemnation at the expense of our friends and neighbours, at home or abroad.
And to think we pay this chap tens of thousands of pounds a year to spout this kind of drivel at such a difficult and trying time for so many people.
Coronavirus in Scotland: SNP MP criticised over 'tasteless' Twitter post
By Alistair Grant - The Herald
AN SNP politician has been accused of making "tasteless" remarks about the coronavirus death rate in Scotland and England.
Douglas Chapman questioned whether Scotland's "vastly superior A&E performance" or its "unique coronavirus assessment centres" were the reason for its lower death rate.
The Dunfermline and West Fife MP wrote on Twitter: "Recorded deaths from #Covid in England are double the rate of what they are in Scotland.
"It’s reasonable to ask WHY? Is it NHS Scotland’s vastly superior A&E performance OR is it Scotland’s 50 unique coronavirus assessment centres keeping infected patients away from GP surgeries?"
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie called on Mr Champman to withdraw the comment.
He said: "Douglas Chapman's dubious analysis of Covid-19 death rates is tasteless.
"It is certainly not in the spirit of partnership with the rest of the UK that the First Minister has adopted.
"I am sure she will be embarrassed and uneasy that one of her Members of Parliament has acted in this way.
"The families who have lost loved ones and the health care workers risking their lives everyday on the front line want all our politicians to work together to help them through this crisis.
"Douglas Chapman should withdraw his remark and turn his attention to more worthy activities.”
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “Mr Chapman should delete his pathetic, gloating tweet and apologise to all the families who have lost loved ones and our NHS professionals working flat out during the coronavirus outbreak.”
It is thought population density partly explains the higher death rate in England.
