article_snippet.sent: I admit, it wasn’t a particularly funny joke, but I had no idea of the outrage my light-hearted comment would provoke from the devoted followers of Scotland’s First Minister and the leader of the SNP.
article_snippet.sent: So you might imagine that the Scots could cope with a few harmless jibes about the Scots own First Minister.
article_snippet.sent: Could this surge of nationalism mean that Scotland is in danger of becoming another North Korea, a land where the ‘dear leader’ is sacrosanct, a figure on a pedestal, to be worshipped and admired — but never criticised?
article_snippet.sent: At the weekend, one commentator announced that ‘Scotland has fallen in love with Nicola — Nicola — is adored’.
article_snippet.sent: Sadly, some SNP supporters combine commendable patriotism with a deep-seated distrust of the English — not just the posh people from down here, but
article_snippet.sent: I love BBC Scotland and have spent many happy weeks walking, working and fishing there, so making this was a real pleasure.
article_snippet.sent: I talked to people of all persuasions in the Borders, the Central Belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and in the North-East.
article_snippet.sent: We went to inordinate lengths to present a scrupulously balanced film — but when this was transmitted, because I was born in England (and am actually half-Welsh)
article_snippet.sent: I was attacked in the Scottish Press, on Twitter and other social media for having the audacity to host a programme about ‘having the audacity to host a programme about ‘their’ country’ country.
article_snippet.sent: The author J.K. Rowling was denounced as unpatriotic for daring to speak out in favour of Scotland remaining part of the UK.
article_snippet.sent: f*** off back to England.