In further proof that politicians should just not tell jokes, an MSP has come under fire for a ‘joke’ in which he called for tanks to be rolled out to deal with climate protesters.
Mid Scotland and Fife politician Murdo Fraser’s comments, made on Twitter on Saturday, come ahead of the COP26 climate change conference, which takes place in Glasgow in November.
Responding to a tweet from RAF Luton about “the world’s first environmentally friendly battery-powered driverless tank”, Fraser wrote: “Great to see this, hopefully we will see it deployed on Glasgow streets to deal with protesters during COP26. Really good it’s eco-friendly.”
However, the bio of the RAF Luton profile reveals that it is the “assumed official Twitter account of the world’s most mysterious and secret (and fictitious) military base”. In other words, it’s a “parody/satire account”.
While a follow-up tweet from Fraser suggests he knew of this (The National have indeed written up a piece on the post), unfortunately for him, many Twitter users didn’t see the funny side:
Great idea. We'll "borrow" it to deploy against Go Home vans.
— Mhairi Hunter (@MhairiHunter) August 7, 2021
There’s an elected official of the Scottish parliament and member of the UK governing party hoping protestors demanding action against climate catastrophe be tiananmen squared.
— Dan Diplodicus🦕(Join a Union)🇮🇹🏆🏴 (@DanielPlacito) August 7, 2021
That's a ridiculous thing to say, ppl have the right to protest without the threat of tanks. Do you not remember Tainnaman Square??
— daz boot (@FacileTalk) August 7, 2021
So you don't think protest should be allowed at all then.
— Broken Keir Hardie (@BrokenHardie) August 7, 2021
I look forward to you deploying them next Marching Season.
Aww is that you attention seeking again son 🚀
— Katie 🏴 (@sallydust) August 7, 2021
Complaint registered for inciting violence & harm in a country where our laws are devolved! https://t.co/tUUtdTS9yF
— tenaciousV (@tenaciousV56) August 7, 2021
I wouldn't have thought even the @ScotTories would want to be seen to think this is acceptable chat from an MSP? https://t.co/vipV5pOBb9
— Sean Biggerstaff (@Seanchuckle) August 8, 2021
As an organiser for the protests in Glasgow during COP26, I am so loving this energy. All I’ve ever wanted is an eco-friendly tank pointed at me🥰🥰 https://t.co/c0U8H5NfZA
— Dylan Hamilton (@_DylanHamilton_) August 7, 2021
Meanwhile, others pointed out that he may have fallen for the trick from RAF Luton:
I gather @RAF_Luton will be working with the navy who are deploying HMS Hook, HMS Line and HMS Sinker from Faslane. It will all be photographed from a Canberra. 🎣
— Neil O'Doherty Ⓥ 🤘🌍🚄🚴⚛️☮️🔬⚡💉💉 (@eaglepeaknaod) August 8, 2021
Needless to say, this is a spoof. No such tank exists, nor could it.
— Simon fae Standingstone ::🏴🇪🇺🌍:: (@simon_brooke) August 7, 2021
Okay I can’t tell if he’s been duped by the fake account or he’s trying to make a joke either way a politician really shouldn’t be calling for tanks to be used against protesters because if I said maybe we should use a tank against him I’d be arrested https://t.co/ZPHmGGrQKC
— C Thomas Graham (@EssenceofCG) August 8, 2021
not an msp falling for a piss take 😭😭 mate as underfunded as the army are they aren't powering tanks with 142 aa batteries and driving them with xbox controllers https://t.co/Uon445YB8k
— caelan ↙↙↙ (@fotzepolitwink) August 8, 2021
Epic! Murdo fell for @RAF_Luton
— Gregor Clark 🏴 (@GregorJClark) August 7, 2021
Scramble (sorry Sophie) the Eurovision Typhoon display team for a celebratory fly past. https://t.co/mIWGtWrHlV
