Ian Murray: SNP has created ‘atmosphere of fear’ in Scotland The SNP has created an “atmosphere of fear” in Scotland which discourages people from criticising the party in case they […]

The SNP has created an “atmosphere of fear” in Scotland which discourages people from criticising the party in case they are publicly attacked, Ian Murray has claimed.

The former shadow Scotland Secretary said the tactic was encouraged at the top of the party and has spread to grass roots supporters, calling on Nicola Sturgeon to “reflect very carefully” on how it was affecting democracy.

“They want to try to create an atmosphere of fear where people don’t speak out” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Ian Murray

In an interview with i conducted before the terrorist attack in Manchester, the Labour candidate for Edinburgh South said the treatment of an NHS nurse who confronted Ms Sturgeon during a BBC TV debate was an example of the strategy in action.

Claire Austin was vilified online after Joanna Cherry, the SNP candidate for Edinburgh South West, spread a false rumour that she was married to a Conservative councillor.

“The SNP have been doing this for a long time,” Mr Murray said. “It starts at the top and goes right the way through their entire organisation, right down to their membership and their supporters: if you lose the argument, smear.

“They want to try to create an atmosphere of fear where people don’t speak out.

“When you meet businesses in private, or you meet nurses or teachers, they will rip the Government to shreds about what they’re doing, but they’ll never ever say it publicly, because of that fear factor.

“That’s the ideology of nationalism: it’s ruled by fear, get rid of the opposition by fear.

“The businesses during the independence referendum who spoke out were absolutely pilloried – to the extent that it stopped other people from speaking out.”

Boycott

Mr Murray gave the example of Barrhead Travel, one of the UK’s largest independent travel agents, whose founder Bill Munro sent a memo to staff warning of the dangers of independence ahead of 2014’s vote.

After the message was published, pro-independence supporters called for a widespread boycott of the company and SNP MSP John Mason said he had decided not to buy foreign currency from the firm as a result of its stance.

“Nationalism as an ideology thrives on hating something else”

Mr Murray also spoke out against online independence supporters known as “cybernats”, who often gang up on those who criticise their cause, adding that Ms Sturgeon should take responsibility for the climate created by the SNP.

“The heat needs to be taken out of Scottish politics, but nationalism as an ideology thrives on hating something else.

“If an ideology thrives on having something to hate, that underpins the whole of the ideology. Scottish politics is completely corroded by nationalism, and I hate it,” he said.

“I didn’t come into politics to fight nationalism or talk about the constitution, and I think we need to find a way of getting off it.

“That starts at the very, very top. Nicola Sturgeon needs to reflect very seriously about what she’s doing to this country.”

‘Ridiculous outburst’

Responding to his comments, the SNP’s candidate for Edinburgh South Jim Eadie said: “This is a ridiculous outburst – and voters will not recognise the frankly bizarre picture of political debate in Scotland that Ian Murray tries to paint.

“Mr Murray should really consider whether this sort of inflammatory and divisive rhetoric serves our democracy well.”

The Labour politician also revealed that a pro-independence supporter secretly stuck a “Yes2” sticker to his back despite knowing that he was on his way to an electoral truce event in memory of his friend Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered by a right-wing terrorist last year.

“It’s that kind of stuff that’s just horrible, and Scottish politics is awash with it,” he said.

“You just think: let’s grow up a bit. We can disagree on independence but as Jo would say, we probably agree on an awful lot more.”

Mr Murray also said he had been a victim of a “fake news” story on Facebook, in which a man claimed he had “laughed” and “winked” after being told about the plight of a local family being evicted from their house.

“That didn’t happen. But it went viral, and I was getting people writing to me, emailing me, phoning my office to tell me I was disgusting,” he said.

“I had homeless charities getting in touch with me asking what my comments were – and all because someone had decided to make it up.”

Since the incident, he has been forced to have a member of staff sit in on all of his private meetings with constituents and others, to ensure that there is a witness to what is being said.

Edinburgh South

Labour is desperately hoping that Mr Murray can hang onto his seat in the capital, where he has a majority of 2,637.

Since 2015 he has been the party’s only MP in Scotland after the SNP’s historic landslide victory north of the border.

An outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, he resigned from the shadow Cabinet in June last year, predicting that the public would reject him as as Prime Minister. As recently as March he accused Mr Corbyn of “destroying” the party.

Although he insists that he stands by his previous remarks, he now refuses to openly condemn his party’s UK leader, claiming that “one bad day at the office for a Labour Government is much, much better than 1,000 good days with the Tories”.

He added: “My criticism of Jeremy is well known and has been documented…but he’s the leader of the Labour party and we need to work as a team to get a Labour government. It’s not a presidential election.”

Murray is hoping that his constituents’ opposition to a second independence referendum will help him win on 8 June, saying this is “by far” the dominating issue on doorsteps.

More than 65 per cent of voters in Edinburgh South backed staying part of the UK in 2014.

Dismissing the chances of a Conservative being returned in the constituency, he says voters realise that if they back the Tories then the most likely outcome is an SNP MP.

“The electorate in south Edinburgh is incredibly sophisticated and know exactly what they want out of an election result, and will vote accordingly – and they have to do so again,” he said.