A GREEN MSP has been ticked off after quoting Trainspotting and swearing in the Holyrood chamber.
Andy Wightman quoted from the film of Irvine Welsh’s novel as he summed up in a debate on the expansion of Edinburgh Airport.
He said: “In conclusion Presiding Officer, I can’t help but think of a quote from Renton in Trainspotting: ‘It’s a ***** state of affairs to be in’, and our job should be to clean it up.”
The quote is from one of the film’s most famous scenes, set on Rannoch Moor, when Ewan McGregor’s character rants about Scotland being ruled by England.
He says: “We're ruled by effete ****holes. It's a s**** state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and all the fresh air in the world won't make any ****ing difference!"
After applause from MSPs, Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani barely suppressed a laugh while telling Mr Wightman: “I know it was a quote, but can I remind members they should be careful of the language that they use.”
Mr Wightman is not the first MSP to swear in the chamber.
In 2000, the SNP’s Kenny Gibson put “ba’hair” on the official report, while “s****” was used by the SNP’s Lloyd Quinan in 2003 and Labour’s Karen Gillon a year later. Mr Quinan also gave a nod to the Trainspotting author: “To paraphrase Irvine Welsh, to be a Scottish actor is s****.”
And in 2005, the Tory Ted Brocklebank reminded MSPs of the immortal words of Sir Bob Geldolf during the Live Aid appeal: “‘Just give us your ****ing money’ - I quote him directly.”
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