A SCOTTISH LibDem candidate who likened running against the SNP in the General Election to the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France has been forced to apologise.
Hamish Taylor “unreservedly” apologised after his Twitter/X post sparked criticism, according to a report in the Daily Record.
Taylor is going up against the SNP’s Alyn Smith (below) in the new Stirling and Strathallan constituency.
In a recent tweet on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe from the Nazis, he wrote: “Today we should all take a moment to remember D-Day; a time when my parents, uncles aunts and grandparents sacrificed to make a better future for us all.
“This year D-Day is shifting in the calendar, it is moving to July 4, a day on which we can all make a better future.”
The tweet also included a leaflet which hit out at the Scottish Government over drug deaths, NHS waiting lists, and “unachievable” climate change targets.
READ MORE: What happens if Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross quits as an MSP?
He concluded: “On July 4, make it your D-Day to stop the crises of chaos under the SNP.”
Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “I took this post down as soon as I realised that it had caused offence and I apologise unreservedly.
“It had been my intention to express my concern about the upkeep of local war memorials, reflecting concerns I’ve heard at many of the local community councils I’ve been at recently, but I fully accept that I did not communicate this properly.
“I’m reflecting this week on sacrifices made to free Europe from tyranny 80 years ago.
“Going forward, I want everyone who has stood in defence of our nation to be rewarded and properly supported.”
The news comes as Rishi Sunak has said he hopes the public can find it in their hearts to forgive him following his D-Day departure.
The Prime Minister had attended events in Portsmouth and Normandy to mark the day, but left France ahead of a ceremony involving international political leaders.
And Reform UK has stood by a candidate who argued that the UK should have remained neutral and allowed the Nazis to conquer Europe.
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