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The leader of the SNP in Westminster has been accused of using \u2018bullyboy tactics\u2019 on an audience member during a BBC debate after accusing a young man of being a Tory activist.<\/p>\n
Stephen Flynn became embroiled in a heated exchange with fellow panel members and in the crowd during an episode of the political show Debate Night in Scotland.<\/p>\n
A young man named John White put it to the MP that he and his party were always saying \u201ceverything\u2019s Westminster\u2019s fault\u201d when he said the SNP are in charge of a large part of Scottish governance.<\/p>\n
Appearing riled by the accusation, and instead of answering the question, Mr Flynn, 34, proceeded to out Mr White as someone he claimed to recognise as a supporter of a different political party.<\/p>\n
His intervention sparked audience murmurings and an outraged reaction from fellow panel member Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, who later described the incident as \u2018bullyboy tactics\u2019.<\/p>\n
READ MORE… <\/strong> Murdoch’s life from News of the World, to ‘Succession’ drama and his fortune<\/strong><\/p>\n Beginning his question in the studio, Mr White said: \u201cIt was just to come back to what Stephen said\u2026every time you answer a question you go back to, everything\u2019s Westminster\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n As audience members around Mr White broke into applause, he continued: \u201cIt\u2019s the SNP that\u2019s in charge of Scottish education, it\u2019s the SNP that\u2019s in charge of Scottish justice, it\u2019s the SNP that\u2019s in charge of the NHS in Scotland.\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking his head Mr White look plaintively at Mr Flynn for a response as the gallery again erupted in supportive clapping.<\/p>\n Instead of taking on the point made, Mr Flynn took the unusual tack of saying, \u201cI think I recognise you,\u201d before accusing the \u201cyoung man\u201d of being a \u201cprominent Conservative activist\u201d.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cNotwithstanding that, when it comes to\u2026\u201d. At this point host Stephen Jardine asked Mr White if he was an activist but the question and Mr Flynn\u2019s response was met with jeers from the audience.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Mr White pointed out: \u201cI\u2019ve still got an opinion, and I still get to vote, and it\u2019s voters that keep you in your job.\u201d<\/p>\n Holding his hand up Mr Flynn appeared to take this point on board, saying \u201cabsolutely\u201d, before saying: \u201cI wouldn\u2019t discount that at all.”<\/p>\n Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, the Lib Dem leader in Scotland, leapt the Mr White\u2019s defence later describing Mr Flynn singling out his political affiliations on social media site X as \u201cbullyboy tactics\u201d.<\/p>\n During the debate on the BBC show, he said: \u201cI think it\u2019s pretty outrageous that Stephen Flynn just identified an activist from another party.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Flynn barked back that he \u201cwore his badge\u201d, but Mr Cole-Hamilton added that Mr Flynn knew \u201cfine well\u201d that \u201clegions of online nationalist shock troops will now troll this young man for his interest in politics.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/4971495.jpg?r=1695313825206\")
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