Scouts Scotland contacts regulator over SNP broadcast

Scouts Scotland has complained after an SNP party political broadcast featured one of the youth group’s leaders while in uniform, in breach of the charity’s rules.

The organisation said it is apolitical and adult volunteers are not allowed to endorse parties while wearing their uniforms.

A party political broadcast shown on TV on Monday featured a woman called Helene, who lives in Kirkhill, as being among a number of Scots who have changed their minds on independence.

She says: “For my children, I feel that an independent Scotland is going to offer them an opportunity to be part of something bigger.”

Scouts Scotland said it has contacted the SNP and reported the situation to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

The charity said: “We are aware that an SNP party political broadcast was shown yesterday that included a leader in uniform.

“The Scout Association is not connected with any political body and have rules which state that members when in uniform or when representing the Scouts must not endorse any political party or candidate.

“We have spoken to the SNP, reported the situation to OSCR and the issue has been investigated at a local level through our complaints procedure.”

In response, the SNP highlighted chief scout Bear Grylls’ appearance at the Conservative Party conference in 2017 while wearing a Scouts uniform.

The TV personality and survival expert was making a pitch for more Government funding.

An SNP spokesman said: “The chief scout appeared on stage at Tory party conference in his full uniform in 2017 so we’re somewhat surprised by these comments.

“It is also disappointing to read this media statement today given we engaged with Scouts Scotland several months ago when this broadcast was first on TV.”

The Scottish Conservatives accused the SNP of trying to misrepresent the Scouts.

Chief whip Miles Briggs said: “The SNP have questions to answer about how they let this happen.

“They’ve been caught out blatantly trying to misrepresent the Scouts and drag them into politics.

“This must be investigated further and the SNP need to apologise for misleading the public.”