The Scottish National Party has this week called on the Conservatives to suspend Tory candidate for Wells, James Heappey, after he told a schoolgirl to “f*** off” when she said she backs Scottish independence.
Mr Heappey is seeking re-election in Wells and told Burnham-On-Sea.com that he made the remark as a “joking quip” during a visit to Millfield School and has since apologised.
The Conservative candidate asked the sixth-form pupils for their opinion on independence. When one Scottish student told him she supports independence, he says he quipped in a light-hearted manner “Well you can f*** off then.”
Mr Heappey told Burnham-On-Sea.com here that he did not say “f*** off back to Scotland”, as has been widely reported in newspapers.
The student later complained to her father and the school sent a letter of apology to the family.
Mr Heappey said in a statement: “I made a comment – intended only as a joke – but it was inappropriate and I am deeply sorry for any offence caused. I wrote to the pupil soon after the school brought her concerns to my attention and apologised unreservedly.”
However, the SNP has this week said that it wants him to be suspended from standing in the General Election.
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, said on Sky News: “I think it’s appalling behaviour for any adult to show to any young person, but particularly somebody who has been an MP and is standing for election again.”
“I think the Tories really have some big questions to answer about the conduct of the some of their candidates and elected representatives.”
SNP candidate for Glasgow North West Carol Monaghan, added: “For a candidate to make this kind of remark, especially to a schoolgirl, is absolutely disgraceful and the Tories should suspend Mr Heappey as a candidate. Mr Heappey’s protests about it being a joke just don’t cut it. This sort of offensive and abusive language has no place in our politics.”
