A REFORM MSP has been criticised for promoting "one of the most divisive organisations in the country" after he praised the first Orange Order march in the north east of Scotland in 25 years.
Around 50 people reportedly took part in a march organised by the Dunnottar Martyrs Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge through Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on Saturday.
Around 10 times as many people – more than 500 – had complained to Aberdeenshire Council in a bid to stop the procession from going ahead. The local authority ultimately green-lit the plans.
Reform MSP Mark Simpson congratulated a tweet which not only celebrated the march but stated: “Why is this frowned on, yet non British religious celebration is welcomed?”
Simpson replied: “Well done to all involved.
“Quite the contrast to the woke nonsense we suffered in front of His Majesty the King in Holyrood today.”
The MSP for North-East Scotland was referring to a poem which was read out in front of King Charles by the National Theatre of Scotland at the opening of the Scottish Parliament session, with Unionists calling it “nationalist nonsense”.
Simpson’s praise of the Orange walk seemingly contradicts Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s stance on mass religious observances as he called for them all to be banned in March.
Farage told party members at a Reform conference in Scotland that an Open Iftar in London that same week was an “attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life”.
He warned that type of mass observance was coming to Scotland “soon”, and Reform would “stand firm for the Judeo Christian principles upon which our nation was built”.
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said Simpson’s tweet “tells us everything we need to know about Reform UK,” adding that the last thing Stonehaven needs is an MSP promoting Farage’s “racist agenda”.
“They want to crack down on Muslims and other minorities expressing their faith in public, while embracing the Orange Order – one of the most divisive organisations in the country,” she said.
“This march was opposed by many local people, who know exactly what these parades represent. The Orange Order has a long history of sectarianism and stoking division in communities, which is why so many people were against it.
“It certainly won't have been celebrated by Catholics in Stonehaven or any of the other groups who understandably don't want an Orange march on their doorstep.
“The last thing Stonehaven and the north east needs is an MSP cheering on the Orange Lodge while promoting Nigel Farage's racist agenda.”
The Stonehaven march took place from 8am on Saturday, June 27, to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne – a symbol of Protestant victory.
A small number of protesters waved Saltires and honked their horns as the march passed.
A post on the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland Facebook page from the lodge of Scotland's executive officer, David Walters, called it a “historic day”.
Police Scotland said the day had passed without incident.
Reform have been approached for comment.
