AN SNP MP has apologised after using Jacob Rees-Mogg’s religion to attack Brexit.
Peter Grant called the arch Leave campaigner a “Catholic Brexiteer” on Twitter.
Mr Grant, the MP for Glenrothes since 2015 and the SNP’s spokesperson on Europe, has now deleted his remark.
Posted on Wednesday, Mr Grant’s tweet referred to a TV news report about Mr Rees-Mogg.
He wrote: “Jacob is a Catholic Brexiteer. On Fridays he only sells out fishermen.”
This was apparently a joke based on the notion of Catholics eating fish on Fridays.
Ross Thomson, the Tory MP for Aberdeen South, said of the tweet: “This may have been an ill-conceived attempt at humour, but a member of Parliament should know better.
“Targeting somebody because of their faith is not acceptable. Peter Grant should withdraw these remarks, which could well be viewed as sectarian, at the earliest opportunity.”
After the SNP was asked for a response to the criticism, Mr Grant, who is himself a practicing Catholic, removed his tweet.
In a new post today, he said: “I’ve deleted a tweet I sent out about Jacob Rees-Mogg.
“I intended no offence to anyone who shares my faith but I now accept that it was ill judged and I apologise for any offence caused.”
Earlier this week SNP MSP James Dornan reported he had been targeted by the “Smash a Fenian” email campaign urging violence against Scotland’s Catholic community.
Mr Rees-Mogg is a prominent Roman Catholic with controversial pro-life views.
Last year he said he opposed abortion even in cases of rape and incest.
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