Scots baker 'abused' after giving Boris Johnson a dumpling at market

A Scots businesswoman has faced threats and abuse after giving Boris Johnson a clootie dumpling at a festive food market.

Michelle Maddox started homemade dumpling business ‘Clootie Mctoot’, three years ago when she started selling her creations at farmers markets.

The Perthshire businesswoman was invited to bring the venture down to a festive food and drink market outside 10 Downing Street last week.

On Friday she was videoed handing over one of her dumplings, wrapped in Harris Tweed, to the Prime Minister and shared it on the Clootie McToot Facebook page.

What followed was a dozen order cancellations and a torrent of abuse aimed at Michelle in private messages through Facebook and Twitter.

The dumpling maker said she was left in tears after the messages, with one threatening to damage her van, while another warned her not to ‘walk down dark alleyways’.

Michelle, 46, said: “It’s been heart-breaking to read the messages.

“I was told a brick would get thrown through my van window, while another message told me me not to walk down a dark alleyway.

“I’ve also had 12 cancellations of food orders since the video appeared online.

“It’s politically motivated, but I don’t where its came from.

“We weren’t the only Scottish company there.

“I’m not interested in politics, I’m just interested in my business and in selling Scottish food produce.

“The messages left me in tears, but the support since has been fantastic, I’ve had a lot.

“The abuse has stopped, and I’m glad as it was going to far.

“I’m just looking to get back to making dumplings now, that’s my aim.”