Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson called ‘dyke’ during comedy performance at independence rally

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has been referred to as a “dyke” at a Scottish independence rally.

The rally, attended by some of the most senior SNP MPs, and spoken at by Alex Salmond has been accused of homophobia, reports the Telegraph.

According the paper, a comedy troupe ‘Whitserface’ referred to Ms Davidson, who is out as a lesbian, as “Ruth Dykey-D”, at the rally in Glasgow today.

The words, made during a “rap-off”, have been defended by the troupe. Members of the comedy act also took aim at Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale, Nicola Sturgeon and SNP MP Mhairi Black.

But the act, which was condemned by many including LGBT+ rights group Stonewall, was defended by SNP’s home affairs spokesman Joanna Cherry MP, who is also out as a lesbian, who said it was “hilariously irrelevant satire.”

Whitserface also defended its act, saying in a tweet: ““Comedy is like life it’s subjective! You can only please some of the people some of the time!”

The direct of Stonewall Scotland Colin Macfarlane, said: “Calling someone a ‘dyke’ is homophobic. If it goes unchallenged it gives the green light for others to follow suit.”

And the Scottish Tory party released a statement attacking the performance, a spokesperson saying: “The nationalists are always the first to scream offence at anything that even mildly upsets them. But when it’s a joke at the expense of pro-UK campaigners, it’s suddenly harmless and hilarious.

“The SNP should be lambasting this, but instead its elected representatives are praising it on social media.”

In a tweet by Ms Cherry, she addeD: “For all those mansplaining what homophobia is don’t bother I’m gay & have been on receiving end regularly on Twitter but heard none today.”

• Dec 01 2023

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