Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Murdo Fraser, has been officially cleared by Police Scotland following an investigation into a social media post he made about a former Rangers football manager. The comment, which generated considerable public discussion, was published on platform X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the manager’s departure.
Mr. Fraser’s post, made in the aftermath of Russell Martin’s exit from the Ibrox dugout, humorously stated: “No more vegans, Buddhists or Green Party members please.” This light-hearted remark was widely understood to be a playful reference to Mr. Martin’s publicly known personal beliefs and lifestyle choices, including his Buddhist practices, affiliation with the Green Party, and past dietary preferences. Despite being intended as football-related banter, the comment led to a formal complaint being lodged with law enforcement.
Following a thorough review, Police Scotland confirmed that the online activity did not constitute any criminal offense. A spokesperson for the force issued the following statement: “We received a report relating to a post made online and the information has been assessed. There will be no further police action.”
Representing the communities of Perth and Kinross, Mr. Fraser voiced his unsurprised reaction to the police’s decision. He staunchly defended the nature of his commentary, asserting that “it is not – and never should be – a crime to make jokes about football.” Furthermore, the MSP took the opportunity to critique political opponents, including Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart, suggesting their reactions amounted to “manufactured outrage.” Mr. Wishart had previously labelled Mr. Fraser’s initial comments as “awful” in their immediate aftermath. Broader Challenges with Police Scotland
While this particular incident has concluded without action, it forms part of a wider, more protracted engagement between Mr. Fraser and Police Scotland concerning online expression. The MSP remains locked in a nearly two-year-long dispute regarding an earlier “non-crime hate incident.”
This separate and ongoing controversy stems from a social media post made in November 2023. In that instance, Mr. Fraser drew a comparison between individuals identifying as non-binary (those who do not exclusively identify as a man or a woman) and identifying as a cat. Despite the police ultimately concluding that no crime had been committed, the remarks were recorded as a “non-crime hate incident.” This classification, which maintains a record of an event despite its non-criminal nature, sparked significant concern and criticism from Mr. Fraser, who characterized the force’s actions as “outrageously and unlawfully” applied in his specific case.
Seeking resolution and clarity, Mr. Fraser escalated his concerns by filing a formal complaint with the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (Pirc). Pirc’s independent examination subsequently concluded that Police Scotland’s handling of Mr. Fraser’s complaints pertaining to the non-crime hate incident did not meet a “reasonable standard.” Pirc recommended that the police undertake further inquiries into their procedures surrounding the case and provide Mr. Fraser with an update within a two-month timeframe.
However, despite these recommendations and the specified deadline, Mr. Fraser has publicly stated that he is still awaiting a definitive, formal response from Police Scotland on this persistent issue. “Nearly two years on, we’re still waiting for this to be resolved,” he commented, underscoring the lengthy and unresolved nature of this particular matter. An MSP’s Fight for Public Principles
Mr. Fraser views his continued engagement with these issues as more than a personal battle. Leveraging his platform as a prominent political figure in Perth and Kinross, he feels a responsibility to challenge what he perceives as problematic police recording practices that could affect any citizen. “I’m somebody in the public eye with a platform as an MSP. If this is the way the police treat me, heaven knows how they treat ordinary members of the public. I’m fighting this battle not so much on my own behalf, but on behalf of other people caught in this situation.” This dedication to broader principles of public accountability and fairness resonates deeply within local communities, where citizens often look to their elected representatives for advocacy and protection against perceived systemic injustices.
His advocacy has garnered support from the Free Speech Union (FSU), a UK-based organisation dedicated to protecting freedom of expression. Fraser Hudghton, the FSU’s Scotland director, voiced significant apprehension, noting that “Murdo Fraser only became aware of the existence of a ‘non-crime hate incident’ against his name through chance. That, coupled with Police Scotland’s inability to clarify after so many months beggars belief.” This observation fuels broader discussions about police transparency, data retention policies, and citizens’ rights in the digital age, topics of increasing importance for residents across Perth and Kinross.
Responding to queries about the Pirc investigation, a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that their internal review of the complaint had been finalized and that their findings had been transmitted to Pirc. They further stated: “Following recent receipt of the Complaint Handling Review from the PIRC, the initial complaints have been reassessed and a response sent to the PIRC. An outcome letter, once approved, will be communicated to the complainer in due course.” This indicates that while a conclusion may be nearing, Mr. Fraser and the public still await the final official communication on this complex matter.
The entirety of these incidents highlights the evolving landscape of public discourse, particularly for figures in the public eye like Mr. Fraser. They provoke essential conversations across Perth and Kinross regarding the appropriate boundaries of online speech, the role of law enforcement in monitoring digital interactions, and the precise definitions of what constitutes a “hate incident” versus protected free expression. The prolonged nature of these investigations emphasizes the critical need for clear, consistent, and transparent guidelines from police forces to maintain public trust and uphold fundamental freedoms in an increasingly digital world. For local residents, these cases underscore the broader implications for civil liberties and the accountability of public institutions within their own region.
Mr. Fraser’s post, made in the aftermath of Russell Martin’s exit from the Ibrox dugout, humorously stated: “No more vegans, Buddhists or Green Party members please.” This light-hearted remark was widely understood to be a playful reference to Mr. Martin’s publicly known personal beliefs and lifestyle choices, including his Buddhist practices, affiliation with the Green Party, and past dietary preferences. Despite being intended as football-related banter, the comment led to a formal complaint being lodged with law enforcement.
Following a thorough review, Police Scotland confirmed that the online activity did not constitute any criminal offense. A spokesperson for the force issued the following statement: “We received a report relating to a post made online and the information has been assessed. There will be no further police action.”
Representing the communities of Perth and Kinross, Mr. Fraser voiced his unsurprised reaction to the police’s decision. He staunchly defended the nature of his commentary, asserting that “it is not – and never should be – a crime to make jokes about football.” Furthermore, the MSP took the opportunity to critique political opponents, including Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart, suggesting their reactions amounted to “manufactured outrage.” Mr. Wishart had previously labelled Mr. Fraser’s initial comments as “awful” in their immediate aftermath. Broader Challenges with Police Scotland
While this particular incident has concluded without action, it forms part of a wider, more protracted engagement between Mr. Fraser and Police Scotland concerning online expression. The MSP remains locked in a nearly two-year-long dispute regarding an earlier “non-crime hate incident.”
This separate and ongoing controversy stems from a social media post made in November 2023. In that instance, Mr. Fraser drew a comparison between individuals identifying as non-binary (those who do not exclusively identify as a man or a woman) and identifying as a cat. Despite the police ultimately concluding that no crime had been committed, the remarks were recorded as a “non-crime hate incident.” This classification, which maintains a record of an event despite its non-criminal nature, sparked significant concern and criticism from Mr. Fraser, who characterized the force’s actions as “outrageously and unlawfully” applied in his specific case.
Seeking resolution and clarity, Mr. Fraser escalated his concerns by filing a formal complaint with the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (Pirc). Pirc’s independent examination subsequently concluded that Police Scotland’s handling of Mr. Fraser’s complaints pertaining to the non-crime hate incident did not meet a “reasonable standard.” Pirc recommended that the police undertake further inquiries into their procedures surrounding the case and provide Mr. Fraser with an update within a two-month timeframe.
However, despite these recommendations and the specified deadline, Mr. Fraser has publicly stated that he is still awaiting a definitive, formal response from Police Scotland on this persistent issue. “Nearly two years on, we’re still waiting for this to be resolved,” he commented, underscoring the lengthy and unresolved nature of this particular matter. An MSP’s Fight for Public Principles
Mr. Fraser views his continued engagement with these issues as more than a personal battle. Leveraging his platform as a prominent political figure in Perth and Kinross, he feels a responsibility to challenge what he perceives as problematic police recording practices that could affect any citizen. “I’m somebody in the public eye with a platform as an MSP. If this is the way the police treat me, heaven knows how they treat ordinary members of the public. I’m fighting this battle not so much on my own behalf, but on behalf of other people caught in this situation.” This dedication to broader principles of public accountability and fairness resonates deeply within local communities, where citizens often look to their elected representatives for advocacy and protection against perceived systemic injustices.
His advocacy has garnered support from the Free Speech Union (FSU), a UK-based organisation dedicated to protecting freedom of expression. Fraser Hudghton, the FSU’s Scotland director, voiced significant apprehension, noting that “Murdo Fraser only became aware of the existence of a ‘non-crime hate incident’ against his name through chance. That, coupled with Police Scotland’s inability to clarify after so many months beggars belief.” This observation fuels broader discussions about police transparency, data retention policies, and citizens’ rights in the digital age, topics of increasing importance for residents across Perth and Kinross.
Responding to queries about the Pirc investigation, a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that their internal review of the complaint had been finalized and that their findings had been transmitted to Pirc. They further stated: “Following recent receipt of the Complaint Handling Review from the PIRC, the initial complaints have been reassessed and a response sent to the PIRC. An outcome letter, once approved, will be communicated to the complainer in due course.” This indicates that while a conclusion may be nearing, Mr. Fraser and the public still await the final official communication on this complex matter.
The entirety of these incidents highlights the evolving landscape of public discourse, particularly for figures in the public eye like Mr. Fraser. They provoke essential conversations across Perth and Kinross regarding the appropriate boundaries of online speech, the role of law enforcement in monitoring digital interactions, and the precise definitions of what constitutes a “hate incident” versus protected free expression. The prolonged nature of these investigations emphasizes the critical need for clear, consistent, and transparent guidelines from police forces to maintain public trust and uphold fundamental freedoms in an increasingly digital world. For local residents, these cases underscore the broader implications for civil liberties and the accountability of public institutions within their own region.