SNP MSP apologises for comparing Ukraine war to Scottish independence campaign

Michelle Thomson SNP MSP has apologised for “insensitive tweets” that compared Ukraine’s crisis following Russia’s military invasion, to the campaign for Scottish Independence.

In the widely criticised tweet Ms Thomson said: "Just goes to show what political will can achieve. Remember this Scotland!"

This was accompanied by a shared post picturing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signing Ukraine’s application for EU membership after he appealed for their application to be processed under a fast-track procedure.

In her apology made a few hours after the original post, Ms Thomson who was elected MSP for Farlik East last year said: “I noted and then tweeted something earlier that was insensitive regarding Ukraine. Like everyone, my first thoughts are sympathy for the people there.

"Apologies if I offended anyone."

In addition to widespread condemnation across social media, backlash of the original tweet came from fellow MSPs.

Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston replied on Twitter: "Shockingly insensitive. What is wrong with these people?"

Fellow Tory MSP Stephen Kerr also criticised the comment: “We've got...Michelle Thomson modelling a break-up of the UK on Putin's invasion of Ukraine. This is not normal behaviour for a political party.”

Labour councillor, Kirsteen Sullivan also replied: "What a crass thing to tweet to try make a cheap political point, there’s no ‘if’ about it."

The tweet came as Ukraine’s second most populous city Kharkiv was heavily bombarded by Russian missiles, causing at least eleven fatalities.