A CONSERVATIVE MEP who was due to take part in a debate arguing that political correctness has gone too far has withdrawn from the event in protest at publicity material which featured a picture of a golliwog.
The Herald revealed yesterday that Edinburgh University Debates Union had apologised after the image was contained in a banner promoting next week's event.
Fred Mackintosh, an advocate and teaching fellow who was due to oppose the motion that "this house believes that political correctness has gone too far", had already said he would boycott the event.
Now David Campbell Bannerman, a graduate of the university who sits in the European Parliament, has also decided to pull out of the debate.
He said: "I am no fan of political correctness but I am very disappointed by the inclusion of a Golly logo on the banner. The advertising for this event has gone too far."
He said the publicity for the event had "sadly been completely mishandled".
"It would seem that the poster was designed to stoke the fire rather than encourage a balanced exploration and, with that being the case, I must regrettably withdraw from the event."
SNP MSP Marco Biagi, who was due to oppose the motion, said that the event had been clouded by the "offensive mistake" and he would also be pulling out.
Mr Mackintosh earlier criticised the use of the golliwog as "puerile and ill-considered" and said he did not want to be associated with such an event.
Edinburgh University Debates Union convenor, Euan McPherson, said the banner would be changed.
He said: "We regret the image caused offence to some people, that was never our intention."
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