SNP's Ian Blackford apologises after 'vigilante' attack suggested English photographer broke Covid rules

The SNPs Westminster leader has issued a grovelling apology after he was accused of trying to “stir up hatred” against an English photographer who he wrongly suggested had broken coronavirus rules.

Ian Blackford publicly questioned why Ollie Taylor, a freelance photographer, had posted a photo of the northern lights over Caithness, after mistakenly assuming he lived in England.

He wrote on Twitter: "As you live in the south of England and travel to Scotland is only for permitted reasons I am sure there will be a valid reason as to why you are posting a photo from the north of Scotland last night?"

Mr Taylor had actually moved to Scotland in September to work on a book.

The MP later deleted the tweet and issued an apology, claiming he had been attempting to represent constituents who were concerned about people breaking rules.

However, Nicola Sturgeon was on Tuesday urged to condemn the “vigilante” attack. Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Liberal Democrat MSP, said Mr Blackford was guilty of “singling out and bullying a private citizen who had relocated here from England”

Meanwhile, the photographer told the Press and Journal newspaper that Mr Blackford could have simply messaged him privately if he had concerns about his actions.

Mr Taylor said: “I think if I was in a public position like Mr Blackford I would have at least messaged to ask about the situation, he could have saved himself a bit of embarrassment.

“The picture is taken about five minutes from my house up here, after I moved in the summer.

“I really think he was trying to stir up public hatred with this, I have friends in each of the countries across the UK and some of the stuff going around on social media makes me feel like it is every man for themselves.”

Responding to Mr Cole-Hamilton at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said Mr Blackford had shown “grace and dignity” by apologising for the attack, which he tweeted to his 100,000 followers.

Mr Blackford said: "I will continue to stand up for my constituents who frequently raise these concerns with me but I recognise that it was wrong to query an individual on Twitter and I apologise to [Mr Taylor] for my earlier post, which I have deleted."