ONE of the top European election candidates for the Scottish Conservatives is under fire after going against his party’s leadership to demand a no-deal Brexit.
Iain McGill from Edinburgh, who has stood unsuccessfully for the Tories at 12 previous elections, also described supporters of staying in the EU as “Remainiacs” on Twitter.
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The former postman says he is “a big fan of Brexit - looking forwards to leaving EU, customs union, the lot” and tweeted last month: “The public’s not daft.. No deal? Bring it.”
The day after the EU referendum result, Mr McGill posted a picture of himself toasting the result with champagne in Epernay in France, where much of the wine is made.
His views are at odds with those of Scottish leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell, both of whom voted Remain.
Last year, Ms Davidson said that a no-deal Brexit involving leaving the EU on World Trade Organisation rules “would not be something that I think would be to the benefit of my constituents here in Edinburgh or in the country as it is”.
Mr Mundell also warned “no deal would be catastrophic for Scotland”, arguing it would undermine support for the Union and boost the independence movement.
Mr McGill, 42, who runs an employment agency in the capital, is ranked second on the Scotland-wide Tory list for the EU election.
The party won a single Scottish seat at the last EU election in 2014, but one recent poll suggested Mr McGill has a realistic chance of getting elected on May 23.
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Labour said Mr McGill’s views were evidence that Ms Davidson’s party was as “extremist and out of touch with public opinion as their counterparts in Westminster”.
Labour’ MSP Neil Findlay said: “A Tory no-deal Brexit will damage our economy, our NHS and cost jobs in communities across Scotland.
“Iain McGill knows this, but he simply doesn’t care. The Scottish Tories are just as extremist and out of touch with the country as their counterparts in the European Research Group in Westminster.”
Mr McGill replied: “More than 17.4m people voted to leave the European Union, including more than 1m in Scotland.
“The Labour Party, and the SNP, should respect the democratic will of the people and stop blocking Brexit in Westminster. The electorate will not look kindly on those who seek to deny democracy.”
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