JOHN Swinney singing God Save the King at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has come under criticism from pro-independence voices.
Footage of the First Minister at the event at The Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday evening has been shared widely online, including by the official Buckingham Palace account.
Several pro-independence accounts on Twitter/X, many of whom are supporters of Liberation Scotland, have criticised Swinney for joining in with the singing.
Some versions of the UK national anthem contain a verse that says there are “rebellious Scots to crush”, but it is rarely included in official events.
Swinney was sitting in the royal box during the ceremony alongside the King and Queen and new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
After the royals appeared on stage, a choir led the crowd in a rendition of the anthem, alongside many Commonwealth leaders. Swinney, who was positioned at the end of the front row, could be seen joining in.
However, some social media users described Swinney singing as “deeply embarrassing” and “cringey”.
The row went viral on X with many pro-independence accounts weighing in.
James Campbell said: “FM John Swinney is trending on X for not reading the room.
“Sorry John, as a sovereign Scot, this and your inability to progress independence, and your refusal to get behind Liberation Scotland means I no longer have confidence in you as FM.”
Liberation Scotland Committee wrote on X: “How does Scotland ever decolonise by maintaining at the head of what it thinks is its nationalist party a 'leader' who sings his heart out like a linty when the national anthem of the colonising state strikes up?
“Even when he's humiliatingly placed on the end of a row in an event held in his own country, a clear statement of the muscular Unionist variety by the British state.
“What an embarrassment. The man is a wally, and we use that English word advisedly.”
Former diplomat Craig Murray queried whether the “rebellious Scots” line was sung, and said: “Swinney singing God Save the King – a directly anti-Scots song written for that purpose."
“The way he accepts such disrespect on Scotland’s behalf is unpardonable,” another user said.
“He has demeaned his position as First Minister…an absolute toady…a sycophantic twat….a disgrace,” another said.
Sara Salyers, from Liberation Scotland, said: “Singing, ‘Send him victorious, happy & glorious, long to reign over us’ Swinney is seated to one side, an irrelevance, a minion shown his place in his own country while England’s king and Prime Minister sit in the first rank.
"Unionists are crowing over this. He has shamed us all.”
Right-wing account Steven Rennie celebrated the footage, writing: "John Swinney belting out the BRITISH national anthem. Rule Britannia John, Rule Britannia. Fuck yer independence ya gullible clowns."
One account accused Liberation Scotland Committee of talking “utter tripe”, adding: “We are not a colony and most Scots still want to be part of Britain. People [sic] like you are what's wrong with Scotland with your nasty, divisive mentality.
“Going mad because Swinney sung the national anthem. Get a life and if you're not happy here leave.”
It comes after Burnham told Swinney that discussions on independence are “off limits” at the event in Glasgow.
The remarks came following the first in-person conversation between the two leaders since Burnham became Prime Minister earlier this week.
