Minister resigns 'after calling firefighters fascist bastards'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Scottish government minister accused of calling striking firefighters "fascist bastards" resigned last night. Richard Simpson, the deputy justice minister, who was responsible for the fire service north of the border, admitted using the words during a dinner party but insisted he was only repeating comments made by a member of the public.
The Scottish National Party and Tommy Sheridan, leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, had called for Mr Simpson to resign or be sacked. "Parliament should be as appalled as I am that a minister in the Scottish government should refer to firefighters as first of all 'bastards' and second as 'fascists'. I don't think he is fit to be in government," said Mr Sheridan, who threatened to table a motion in the Scottish Parliament condemning the minister.
The row centred on a discussion Mr Simpson had at a private dinner party last week. He was reported as saying: "We must not give in to bastards. These people aren't socialists, they're protectionists, they're fascists; the kind of people who supported Mussolini."
Yesterday Mr Simpson defended his comments, saying: "It was not me that made the original remark. I was quoting somebody else. That is absolutely not my view. I think the firefighters, in terms of coming off that picket line, are behaving totally responsibly."
Scotland on Sunday, which reported the conversation, claimed Mr Simpson made the remarks during an attack on the Fire Brigades Union and did not explain he was repeating the opinions of others.
Tricia Marwick, the SNP's local government spokeswoman, said Mr Simpson's position as minister in charge of the fire service was untenable and demanded he be sacked by Jack McConnell, First Minister.
Mr McConnell initially threw his support behind Mr Simpson. Before the resignation, Mr McConnell said Mr Simpson was doing "an excellent job" and that he had "full confidence" in him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments