Local MP Challenged to Disown Racist Comments by Party Chairman

Conrad Ritchie (right) and
David Duguid MP (left)

Conservative MP David Duguid has been challenged to disown a racist outburst on social media by his Constituency Party Chairman.

Conrad Ritchie made the comments hours after being re-elected as the Chairman of Banff and Buchan Conservatives.

Mr Ritchie was responding to a tweet from former SNP Member of the European Parliament Christian Allard where he was highlighting online abuse he had received. The local Tory Chairman told the French-born SNP member if he wasn’t happy to “go back to your country of birth”.

Vice-Convener of Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP and anti-racism campaigner Cllr Ross Cassie has branded the remarks as racist and unacceptable and called on local MP David Duguid to condemn the comments and state whether he feels Mr Ritchie should continue in his position.

Commenting, Cllr Cassie said:

“It is possible to hold different political views from other people online without resorting to racist abuse. At a time when the focus is increasingly on toning down the rhetoric and abuse online, this outburst is particularly disappointing on many levels.

“Not only is Mr Ritchie the Chairman of the local MP’s constituency party, but he is a businessman in a town with a large number of residents who have come here from overseas to make their home and contribute to the local economy. Comments like these send a very poor message.

“Mr Ritchie has been endorsed just last Friday as the Chairman of Banff and Buchan Conservatives. He features in the latest Tory newsletter with David Duguid MP in Westminster Hall. David Duguid must do the right thing and condemn these totally unacceptable comments and tell us whether he continues to think it appropriate for Mr Ritchie to hold a top position in the local Tory Party. The views of our local MP on this matter will be keenly awaited by his constituents who want no truck with such vile sentiments.”