JACOB Rees-Mogg has said that he thought Pete Wishart would be "in mourning" today because of the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk.
The House of Commons leader made the comment in the Commons after the SNP MP appeared in a cheery mood to wish MPs a happy break.
Rees-Mogg noted Wishart's happy mood, saying: "I'm delighted to see that the honourable gentlemen from and member for Perth and North Perthshire has started his holiday early and seems clearly to be enjoying it already from his vastness in Perthshire.
READ MORE: 'Comedy gold' as Liz Truss says Douglas Ross will be the next first minister
"I thought he might be in mourning today because it is of course the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 which was not one of the most glorious events in Scottish history.
"The victory of King Edward I on that occasion is one that we are all aware of."
The Battle of Falirk took place on July 22, 1298 and was one of the major battles in the first war of Scottish independence.
It was led by King Edward I of England who defeated the Scots, led by William Wallace.
Wishart also thanked Commons staff for their work during the Covid pandemic and urged Westminster to make virtual proceedings a permanent feature of democracy.
He said: “It almost feels like democratic vandalism to tear them down now.
READ MORE: Jacob Rees-Mogg sorry after 'Yellow Peril' comment in the Commons
"But it also seems like madness to remove them when infections and hospitalisations are doubling weekly with the out of control Johnson variant, and we have absolutely no idea where we will be when we come back in September.”
But Rees-Mogg replied: “This House works better when people are here.”
He added: "We do a better job of representing our constituents and holding Ministers to account and that leads to better government. We have a duty to be back for the good of democracy."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel