Scottish council denies teacher 'compared Union flag to Nazi swastika'
East Renfrewshire Council issued the denial following a row over a letter to parents which suggested the Union flag could be seen as 'potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'.
It came after a Union flag featuring staff faces was reported to have 'caused some upset'.
The primary school – which The National decided not to name due to recent sectarian violence targeting another school in the area – was then the focus of anger from Scottish Tory politicians over the incident, leading the council to apologise.
READ MORE: Former Unionist party leader backs Scottish independence referendum
On Tuesday, the Scottish Conservatives shared a further letter from East Renfrewshire Council's education manager, Tracy Morton, in which she suggested that the Union flag had been compared to the Nazi swastika.
Morton wrote: 'East Renfrewshire Council is proud to fly the Union Flag, a symbol of our national identity. It is understandable that parental feelings will run high when the use of the flag in a celebratory context by pupils, has been regarded as divisive, offensive and potentially sectarian.
'It is also completely understandable that the decisions taken by staff at the P7 Prom have caused upset ... For this I would like to apologise on behalf of the department and East Renfrewshire Council.'
She went on: 'In addition, I recognised that the actions of the headteacher the following day have inadvertently served to compound the original upset caused … In trying to place the response of the teacher's behaviour into a context her symbolism was misjudged.
'We are clear that it was not appropriate to have associated the incident that took place on Wednesday evening with the connotations of the Nazi swastika.'
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay (Image: BBC) The Tories used the letter to attack the SNP. Russell Findlay's party wrote on social media: 'Telling children that the Union flag is somehow equivalent to the Nazi swastika is twisted nonsense and utterly inexcusable.
'This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils.'
However, East Renfrewshire Council then issued a statement saying that no such comparison had been drawn.
A spokesperson said: 'The council and the headteacher have apologised for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community.
'In seeking to explain the complexities of imagery with the children, we accept that mistakes were made and the example used was misjudged.
'At no point was the Union Flag compared to the Nazi swastika.
'We expect and support our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.
'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
38 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
90 jobs at risk at Fife firm that supplies parts to Alexander Dennis
The company said it was the result of plans announced by bus manufacturer ADL – one of Greenfold's major customers – to close its Scottish sites in order to consolidate its manufacturing business at a single site in Yorkshire. Greenfold specialises in metal fabrication, cable and wiring, kitting and assembly, with reportedly about half of its staff working on constructing the sides, interdecks and roofs of buses for ADL. Speaking to The Courier, Greenfold Systems managing director Craig Waterson described ADL as a 'sizeable customer', and said it was a 'difficult situation' for the company. 'What happens with ADL remains to be seen. We would, of course, like a clearer answer but we're not going to get one anytime soon,' he said. 'A communication has been issued to staff, essentially telling them that their jobs are at risk as a result of the ADL situation. 'We will give another update when we know more. We are weighing up life with and without ADL.' ADL director Paul Davies told a committee of MPs on Thursday that the closure of its Scottish sites was 'not a done deal', but that orders for up to 100 buses and changes to regulation would be needed before the end of the year. Read More Earlier this month, the company said it could lose as many as 400 jobs – about 22% of its workforce – if plans to close its Falkirk plant and cease operations at the nearby Larbert factory go ahead. Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said: 'This will be an extremely difficult time for the workforce at Greenfold Systems, and my thoughts are with them today. 'The SNP's failure to support bus building and buying in Scotland is inflicting a chain reaction of misery for workers and local communities across the country. 'If the SNP government are serious about delivering for our economy, they should be sitting down with the firm to thrash out a solution and finally get behind Scottish manufacturing.' Secretary for Business and Employment Richard Lochhead said: 'I am very disappointed to learn that Greenfold Systems Ltd has entered into consultation with a view to making redundancies at its Dunfermline site. 'This will be a difficult time for the employees at risk of losing their jobs, their families and for the local area. Scottish Enterprise will engage with the company to better understand the reasons for this decision and whether it can offer any assistance. 'The people affected by this announcement are our immediate priority and the Scottish Government will do everything in its power to help those affected through our initiative for responding to potential redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Alexander Dennis bus firm pulls out of Scotland with manufacturing jobs at risk
Workers at Greenfold Systems Ltd in Dunfermline were informed of potential redundancies as around half the workforce are employed to construct parts for the firm's buses. Up to 90 jobs are at risk at a Scots manufacturing firm after bus company Alexander Dennis revealed plans to pull out of Scotland. Workers at Greenfold Systems Ltd in Dunfermline were informed of potential redundancies as around half the workforce are employed to construct parts for the firm's buses. The building - one of three - is dedicated to the work on the buses, with other sites in Lochgelly and Chatham, England. Graeme Downie, Labour MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, said he has written to First Minister John Swinney about the threat of job losses. He told STV News: 'The management and staff at Greenfold Systems are doing their best in an incredibly difficult situation but the fact these 90 jobs in Dunfermline are at risk just shows the ripple effects of the SNP's economic incompetence and their failure to support Alexander Dennis and bus building in Scotland.' Plans under consultation at Alexander Dennis would close their Falkirk plant and cease production at the nearby Larbert factory, with 400 jobs at risk. Bosses at the bus firm this week said the closure of sites at Scotland is 'not a done deal'. The company told MSPs that orders for up to 100 buses and changes to regulation are needed before the end of the year. The jobs would instead be consolidated at a single site in Scarborough. In evidence to a Holyrood committee, president and managing director Paul Davies said: 'It's absolutely not a done deal, it is a consultation process." Davies told the committee the firm would need to see consistent orders to help stabilise the future of the business in Scotland. He said this would be around 70 to 100 buses by the end of the year and 300 to 400 for next year. Calls have been made for a furlough scheme to be put in place, with the Government being urged to step in and pay workers until building can begin. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes pledged earlier this month to 'leave no stone unturned' to secure a future for the workers at risk. Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said: 'This will be an extremely difficult time for the workforce at Greenfold Systems, and my thoughts are with them today. 'The SNP's failure to support bus building and buying in Scotland is inflicting a chain reaction of misery for workers and local communities across the country. 'If the SNP government are serious about delivering for our economy, they should be sitting down with the firm to thrash out a solution and finally get behind Scottish manufacturing.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Minister for Business and Employment Richard Lochhead said: 'I am very disappointed to learn that Greenfold Systems Ltd has entered into consultation with a view to making redundancies at its Dunfermline site. 'This will be a difficult time for the employees at risk of losing their jobs, their families and for the local area. Scottish Enterprise will engage with the company to better understand the reasons for this decision and whether it can offer any assistance. 'The people affected by this announcement are our immediate priority and the Scottish Government will do everything in its power to help those affected through our initiative for responding to potential redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Feral seagulls 'close to killing a human' as stark warning issued to tourists
A warning has been issued after a child was left with "blood running down her face" in flurry of horrific attacks from the flying gulls with politicians calling for more to be done Feral seagulls are edging closer to killing a human, it's been claimed. n what is seen as the most alarming warning yet over the terrifying flying threats, a summit to deal with them is set to get off the ground. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who previously called a debate on the issue at Holyrood, told Parliament humans risk being killed over the "growing problem" of kamikaze-diving seagulls. The politician said: 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Adding fuel to the flames, Tory Rachael Hamilton claimed "aggressive" seagulls had attacked seven children in just one month in Eyemouth last year. She went on to highlight how one girl had gashes to her scalp and "blood running down her face" after a "divebombing attack," the Daily Star reports. The MP added: 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' The latest flap over gulls comes after the people of Moray in Scotland were dive-bombed by the birds. In one case, an elderly woman broke her leg during a gull swoop. But other ministers are urging Brits to hug a gull. MSP Jim Fairlie said a summit on tackling the scourge of demented seagulls should not 'demonise' the pests. His fellow Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame added: 'Language such as 'mugging' and 'menace' can be applied to us, or our counterparts, but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food. 'What we mustn't have is people versus gulls, or gulls versus people.' Highlands and Islands MSP Mr Ross said he has been 'inundated' with reports about the dangers of gulls from constituents. They included a couple in the village of Hopeman who were 'worried about going out of their home' due to the aggressiveness of the birds. Jeff Thornhill, a Moray pensioner, said he and his wife were 'dive-bombed' by gull on Monday morning while they were out for a stroll. Among the other victims of the birds is terrified Caroline Mackay, who has lived in the coastal town of Nairn for almost 50 years. She said: 'I know they are part of living beside the sea, and I accept that, but they are quite a danger.' Lucy Harding from Nairn Business Improvement District said they had received 85 reports of gull attacks in the last year alone.
