SNP official tells Europe 'Scotland hates the UK too' after Eurovision entry flops

A senior SNP official has apologised after telling Europe that Scotland “hates the United Kingdom too” after Britain’s entry flopped at Eurovision.

Rhiannon Spear, a Glasgow councillor and the SNP’s national women’s convener, initially defended the post on her Twitter account, which she wrote after the UK’s entry received “nil points”.

She wrote: "It's ok Europe we hate the United Kingdom too. Love, Scotland."

There have been claims that the UK’s poor Eurovision performance was partly the result of hostility towards the UK on the continent due to Brexit.

Ms Spear later urged those taking offence to “have a word with yourself” and attacked UK Government policies.

She said: "The UK has a billionaire Chancellor who won't give NHS staff a fair pay rise during a global pandemic" and claimed Boris Johnson is "more interested in lining the pockets of his Tory donors than feeding hungry children".

Watch: Moment UK scored zero points in Eurovision

However, after SNP headquarters became involved, an apology was issued on her behalf and she deleted her Twitter account.

Ms Spear said: "I have now deleted this tweet about the UK's results in the Eurovision Song Contest, and apologise for any offence caused."

The 30-year-old activist is also convener of Glasgow Council’s education committee and was an SNP candidate in this month’s Holyrood elections, but was not elected.

Stephen Kerr, Scottish Conservative chief whip, said: “The mask has again slipped from the SNP and this is another example of their toxic obsession with division.

“This is abhorrent language from one of the SNP’s most prominent campaigners and a 2021 election candidate, not to mention chair of Glasgow City Council’s education committee.

“We should be teaching tolerance and inclusion, not hate and division.”

Watch: Italy's Maneskin wins Eurovision