ROYALISTS including Murdo Fraser and GB News journalists are among those raging at The National over our “Royal Flush” front-page.
We thanked the Queen for the bank holiday on Saturday’s front-page, seen on newsstands across Scotland, but stressed that it was time to give Scotland a winning hand – by binning the Windsors.
The front-page was illustrated by an imagine of several royals in a toilet, set to be flushed away … and while it has gone viral on social media, not everyone is a fan.
Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, having returned from skiving off Holyrood to watch Rangers in Seville, was upset by the front-page.
I’d put a load of money on The National going down the pan long before the monarchy…. pic.twitter.com/DuEoDImqEH
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) June 3, 2022
He tweeted: “I’d put a load of money on The National going down the pan long before the monarchy…”
The National replied to Fraser with an altered version of the front-page which adds his own picture to the toilet.
#MurdoFlush https://t.co/LYwoX6q7tW pic.twitter.com/ksD0SR5Bth
— The National (@ScotNational) June 4, 2022
While that reply was posted today, we can exclusively reveal to National readers that the Fraser edit of the front-page had been prepared in advance, as the Twitter troll MSP is nothing if not predictable.
The Tories’ chief whip at Holyrood hit out too.
Stephen Kerr wrote: “What is it about people celebrating and enjoying themselves that always brings out the grumps, nastiness, and petulance? Shame on The National.”
What is it about people celebrating and enjoying themselves that always brings out the grumps, nastiness, and petulance? Shame on The National.
— Stephen Kerr MSP (@RealStephenKerr) June 4, 2022
Given that The National is a Scottish newspaper, it certainly won’t have been people “celebrating and enjoying themselves” that motivated anything.
There have been vanishingly few jubilee celebrations this side of the Border, as illustrated perfectly by the tweet from Liam Kerr that backfired so amusingly.
Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallagher had a question for the paper, tweeting: “Can we not just flush the National down the loo?”
Can we not just flush the National down the loo? pic.twitter.com/FgppkKQOSl
— Meghan Gallacher MSP (@MGallacherMSP) June 4, 2022
Responding, National deputy editor Stewart Ward told The Jouker: “Meghan can, of course, flush The National down the loo.
“If she buys enough copies, perhaps it’ll even fund another billboard calling out Boris Johnson’s horrific conduct in office, which seems to be something many Scottish Tories agree with but lack the spines to say. We’ll be happy to assist.”
It wasn’t just royalist politicians who were complaining on social media – a number of journalists were not best pleased either.
Mail Online columnist and GB News presenter Dan Wootton said: “Scheming Sturgeon’s end goal too, I suspect. I’d like to flush The National down the loo tbh.”
Scheming Sturgeon’s end goal too, I suspect. I’d like to flush The National down the loo tbh. pic.twitter.com/O3OL98yFMp
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) June 3, 2022
GB News itself published an article for readers setting out The National’s position.
“Scottish daily newspaper The National has ignited fresh calls for a Scottish Republic, in its controversial front page spread,” the story read.
The National calls for Scotland to 'bin the Windsors' after the Queen#GBNewsJubilee https://t.co/c0KLY5WzQU
— GB News (@GBNEWS) June 4, 2022
It added: “The article expands upon issues that have shaken the Royal Family in recent years, claiming ‘racism allegations’, ‘get-out clauses on legislation protecting the planet’, ‘splashing the cash on Prince Andrew's out-of-court settlement’, have been concealed by ‘the sea of Union flags on London's streets for this Platinum Jubilee’.”
While The National is full of praise for the article, this paper’s leader did in fact stress that the sea of Union flags was unable to conceal the facts of the royal family.
