- Click this link to go to the Scotland homepage for the most recent updates and sports information.
John Swinney has claimed Elon Muskis a 'harmful influence' on British politics, as he disclosed that he is examining his and his Government's use of the billionaire's social media platform X.
The leader of the government criticized Mr. Musk after his contentious speech at the Unite the Kingdom gathering inLondon, when he warned demonstrators that 'violence is coming towards you' and 'you either retaliate or you perish'.
Mr. Swinney criticized his video message directed at the demonstration, during which 25 individuals were detained and 26 police officers were injured, four of whom were severely harmed, and he was blamed for "fanning the flames of division and hostility in our community."
He stated that political discussion was being 'fueled by individuals such as Elon Musk and certain people who were assaulting police officers and members of the public on the streets of London over the weekend'.
Mr Swinney criticized this conduct as "far-right intimidation," and stated he is "definitely considering" the use of X - the social media platform previously calledTwitterwhich was acquired by Mr Musk in 2022.
Asked in an interviewBBCGood Morning Scotland, if Mr Musk was a 'malign influence' onUK politics, Mr Swinney stated: ‘I believe that’s a balanced overview. I consider him to be a harmful presence. I think he is generating conflict and hostility in our community through numerous unfounded methods, and I find his actions unacceptable.’
And I believe we need to acknowledge as a nation what is occurring in our conversations – it is being fueled by individuals such as Elon Musk and certain people who assaulted police officers and members of the public on the streets of London over the weekend.
When asked whether the Scottish Government plans to reassess its use of X, he responded: "I am definitely considering it, as I believe we need to take a position on the actions of certain individuals."
I've spent enough time to have witnessed instances in the past where far-right violence shows up on the streets of the United Kingdom.
I encountered it during my teenage years, and I didn't enjoy it. I actually hated it when I first saw it as a teenager, and I still despise it now as the First Minister of Scotland.
There were individuals present at the demonstration who assaulted law enforcement officers, which I would classify as far-right violence.
On whether he would consider the Scottish Government's use of X and his own, he stated that he had "considered these matters before" and, given various events such as Elon Musk's intervention, "I'm thinking about it again."
We definitely need to explore methods to convey our message," he stated. "I don't want to let the field remain empty, allowing individuals like Elon Musk to take over communication across our country.
I need to reflect on how we convey our message, making it more than just a straightforward debate to contemplate.
However, what individuals should recognize from their First Minister is that I will not be associated with the kind of bias being spread by Elon Musk, Nigel Farage, and similar figures.
I intend to empower the leadership to ensure that Scotland is a hospitable nation, where individuals are welcomed to find asylum, and we strive to enhance the quality of life and economic opportunities for those living in our country.
Mr Swinney also expressed worries that the 'chaos' affecting the UK Government due to Lord Mandelson's exit might hinder the chances of securing a more favorable agreement for the Scotch whisky sector regarding US tariffs.
When asked whether he believed there were any political matters related to the dismissal of the peer and its effect on trade discussions with US President Donald Trump, Mr. Swinney responded, "I think that is a very real risk."
The British Government is entirely preoccupied. It has been distracted for weeks, primarily due to its own internal shortcomings, errors, and missteps.
The citizens of Scotland who supported this Labour Government last summer did so with the expectation of achieving improved results for the people of Scotland. However, what is currently being delivered is disorder, and they are diverted from their main goal of enhancing the lives of the people in our country.
Read more- Could Elon Musk's alleged involvement disrupt John Swinney's pressing £53 billion Scottish budget, or is this merely political theatrics?
- Could John Swinney's political maneuvering affect the outcome of Trump's significant trip to Scotland?
- What is the reason behind John Swinney's efforts to cancel Donald Trump's state visit following a discussion with Sir Keir Starmer?
- Could the differing perspectives of First Minister John Swinney on gender reveal weaknesses in his leadership as activists advocate for significant transformations in Scotland?
- Is Scotland's future being led by John Swinney towards a state of broken pledges and ongoing political turmoil?