THE LibDem MSP who last week caused controversy after he visibly said “f*** you” to an SNP minister has now said that those in Government should “reflect on their tone”.
Alex Cole-Hamilton was due to open a debate in Holyrood on mental health, but instead launched an attack on Deputy First Minister John Swinney as he was leaving the chamber.
It followed a speech from Swinney in which he condemned what he termed “pathetic behaviour” from Cole-Hamilton and his party’s leader in Scotland, Willie Rennie.
Cole-Hamilton, the LibDem’s health spokesperson, was embroiled in controversy after he was seen telling Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd “f*** you” following a disagreement around the commencement period for a bill on children’s rights.
He was taking part in a committee meeting remotely and had his microphone muted at the time.
READ MORE: WATCH: LibDem MSP appears to swear during virtual committee meeting
Cole-Hamilton, who represents Edinburgh Western, said that SNP MSPs have been launching “barbed attacks” against him ever since.
The MSP’s initial apology for the incident, in which he said he had lost his temper because he was “frustrated by your government”, was branded “half-baked” and interpreted as blaming Todd for his outburst.
The SNP called for him to “set the record straight”, while members such as Angus Robertson called on voters not to back representatives who use “verbal abuse”.
Robertson wrote in the Edinburgh Evening News: “Believe it or not Alex Cole-Hamilton is the deputy convenor of the Scottish Parliament Equalities and Human Rights Committee. He is also a vocal member of the Holyrood committee looking at how abuse allegations by women were investigated.
“I can’t think of an MSP less qualified to do either job with credibility.”
The pressure from the SNP led Cole-Hamilton to issue a full apology in parliament yesterday.
He told the Holyrood chamber: "On Thursday in an exchange on children's rights with the minister Maree Todd I was captured on camera mouthing language that was neither parliamentary nor respectful.
"I apologise unreservedly to the minister.
READ MORE: WATCH: Alex Cole-Hamilton apologises to Parliament for swearing at SNP minister
"Each of us in this chamber should strive to reflect the better natures of the people we are sent here to serve. I am very sorry and I will reflect on that."
Today in Holyrood during a debate on education in Scotland, LibDem MSP Willie Rennie said the SNP Government often “use public servants to defend their policy failures”.
In response, Swinney accused the LibDems of both “pathetic” and “shabby behaviour”, adding: “And the Liberal Democrats know all about shabby behaviour this week, if I may say so.”
The Cabinet Secretary then went on to close the debate on education reform.
Opening the following debate on mental health around ten minutes later, Cole-Hamilton took the opportunity to hit back at Swinney.
He said that he thought the Government’s position had been undermined by “such personal shabby attacks during a very serious debate and I hope the Government will reflect on their tone”.
After his comments, other MSPs in the chamber can be heard jeering and asking the LibDem to take an intervention while the presiding officer calls for order.
Cole-Hamilton refuses, and continues on to begin the debate around the “mental health crisis in Scotland”.
Taking to Twitter following the incident, the LibDem shared a video of his comments, adding: “Far from accepting my apology, Government members have been launching barbed attacks on me in Parliament all week, including the Deputy First Minister.
“For a junior MSP of a small party, I sure do seem to be living rent free in the minds of SNP high-command these days.”
Responding on the social media platform, SNP MSP Maree Todd suggested it was her who had asked for an intervention and said Cole-Hamilton needed to "do better".
Less than a week ago, this man snarled ‘f**k you Maree’ at me in committee.
— Maree Todd MSP (@MareeToddMSP) February 17, 2021
He has tried to minimise his behaviour, blame me for it & grandstand a public apology which said ‘we all need to do better.’
Today this.
And no, he would not let me speak.
He needs to do better. https://t.co/IhAc0HfRCw
She wrote: “Less than a week ago, this man snarled ‘f**k you Maree’ at me in committee.
“He has tried to minimise his behaviour, blame me for it and grandstand a public apology which said ‘we all need to do better’.
“Today this.
“And no, he would not let me speak.
“He needs to do better.”
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