UKIP accused of fomenting sectarianism in Scotland

A former treasurer of Ukip Scotland has accused the party of using anti-Catholic rhetoric to whip up support before the May Holyrood elections, writes Brian Morton.

Dr Jonathan Stanley said that senior members of the party in Scotland had made derogatory comments about Catholicism and were manipulating existing sectarian sentiment in a bid to win votes. He told the Scottish Catholic Observer that he had personally experienced anti-Catholic remarks. One Ukip Scotland candidate, Caroline Santos, who is on the list for the South of Scotland, made negative comments about Catholicism on the social network Twitter, describing it as “filthy mysticism” and “gobbledygook”.

Former party chairman Arthur Misty Thackeray has also been accused of writing negative messages about Catholicism on Facebook. A spokesman for the Catholic Church expressed regret and concern over “sixteenth century” rhetoric in Scottish political debate.

Dr Stanley’s complaints have been denied by MEP and Ukip Scotland leader David Coburn, who is standing in the Holyrood elections for Highlands and Islands. Mr Coburn said Ukip Scotland was a “party for all” and identified senior Catholic members within the party, including Calum Walker, the party’s candidate for Angus.

Mr Coburn also expressed the view that Catholic schools in Scotland, the apparent target of Ms Santos’ “gobbledygook” comment, did a “good job”.