James Dornan

Last updated

Hope you remember this the next time you go to confession. You and your cronies are already responsible for the deaths of thousands and you’re now happy to see the most desperate people in the world suffer and drown. If your god exists you will undoubtedly rot in hell. [20] [21] [22]

The SNP later apologised to Rees-Mogg, who said it was "most gracious", adding:

But I think this SNP MSP is entitled to discuss the likely prospects of my immortal soul. It’s quite interesting that you're getting the discussion of hell in public life. I think that is theologically interesting concept and I'm glad he takes such an orthodox, Catholic view of the reality of that and that is encouraging. [23]

Abuse of BBC journalist

In February 2022 BBC journalist Sarah Smith said she was relieved to have escaped the "bile, hatred and misogyny" she had endured covering Scottish politics, having moved to Washington to serve as the BBC's North America Editor. She recounted one instance in which someone shouted at her from their car, "What f***ing lies you’re going to be telling on TV tonight, you f***ing lying bitch?" Dornan tweeted "America would be the go to place to escape all her imaginary woes then." [24] The comment was widely condemned by his political opponents and Dornan later tweeted an apology, “for my earlier comments that made it seem as though I believed the abuse Sarah Smith has suffered was imaginary”. Conservative MSP Russell Findlay, a former crime reporter who had acid thrown at his face by a gangster, accused Dornan of “gaslighting” Smith and warned, “Cowardly attacks on journalists by the lunatic brigade in Scotland have become increasingly toxic since 2014. There's a risk that personal abuse escalates and that someone will get hurt." [25]

Criticism of Operation Branchform

Dornan has made a series of comments criticising Operation Branchform, the Police Scotland investigation into alleged fundraising fraud in the SNP. Following the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell in 2023 and a police search of Sturgeon and Murrel's private home, Dornan accused the police and media of having "some kind of collusion about making sure the media are in attendance when the slightest thing happens". He described the search of the Sturgeon-Murrell home as "like Fred West's house". Police Scotland denied any suggestion that the media was informed of the search ahead of time. [26]

In 2024, after Chief Constable of Police Scotland Jo Farrell confirmed that Operation Branchform was still ongoing and was unable to offer an end date to the investigation, Dornan shared the post on Twitter and wrote: "I have May 2026 in the draw." As the next Holyrood elections are due to be held on 7 May 2026, Dornan's comments were interpreted by many as implying that the police investigation was politically-motivated. Dornan further denounced the investigation as a "farce" in conversation with other Twitter users: "The minute we're seen to even attempt to interfere in police business we would, rightly, be slaughtered. The whole thing is a farce imo [in my opinion] and there are questions for the police to answer but we need to keep our distance... I don't think it's affecting party members much, they see it for what I see it, but it does allow others to use it as a weapon whilst pretending they care about truth and honesty." [27]

Support of Kneecap

In May 2025, Dornan offered his support to the controversial Irish rap group Kneecap after it was removed from the TRNSMT musical festival in Glasgow. Kneecap, whose members had previously advocated for the murder of Conservative MPs, was removed from the festival's line-up after a member of the group was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah. Police Scotland warned that allowing the group to continue to perform at the festival would require "a significant policing operation". Dornan said; "I'm truly concerned by the police statement that Kneecap should not play at TRNSMT because they can’t guarantee their safety. Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision." A Police Scotland spokesman said; "Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event." [28] [29]

References

  1. "Oatlands £1 property deal has turned into 'nightmare'". Evening Times . 15 January 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  2. "MSP James Dornan reveals attempted murder charge as teenager after success of Netflix show Adolescence". Sky News . 14 April 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  3. Dornan joined SNP in 1996 Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine , bbc.co.uk; retrieved 8 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 James Dornan official website, jamesdornanmsp.org; retrieved 8 May 2015.
  5. BBC News – Election 2011 – Scotland – Glasgow Cathcart, bbc.co.uk; retrieved 8 May 2015.
  6. Davidson, Lorraine. "SNP Glasgow North East by election candidate stands down".
  7. Profile, andrewteale.me.uk; retrieved 8 May 2015.
  8. Langside Ward in Glasgow City Council, bbc.co.uk; retrieved 8 May 2015.
  9. New city SNP leader to head battle for Glasgow, eveningtimes.co.uk; retrieved 8 May 2015.
  10. "Dornan named SNP Deputy Whip". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  11. "SNP MSP James Dornan to stand down at next election". www.scotsman.com.
  12. "Glasgow MSP launches bid for 2021 seat reversing plans to retire". Glasgow Times.
  13. Andrews, Kieran (31 July 2020). "MSP James Dornan blocked from fighting Holyrood seat by SNP's all-women shortlist - Scotland". The Times. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  14. Staff reporter (10 August 2023). "James Dornan: This is my last term as an MSP'". Holyrood. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  15. "SNP MSP James Dornan admits false independence claim on RT".
  16. Sanderson, Daniel. "James Dornan 'lied on Kremlin-backed channel'".
  17. 1 2 McCafferty, Ross (26 May 2019). "SNP MSP apologises after 'fag' comment about gay Tory MP Ross Thomson". The Scotsman.
  18. "SNP MSP apologises for false anti-Catholic claims after SNP councillor pressure".
  19. "SNP MSP apologises for falsely accusing Lothian Buses of anti-Catholic bias for suspending city services".
  20. "Glasgow SNP MSP blasted for saying Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg will 'rot in hell'". 9 July 2021.
  21. "SNP MSP tells Catholic Tory MP: 'If your god exists you will rot in hell'".
  22. "SNP MSP James Dornan reported over Rees-Mogg 'rot in hell' tweet". BBC News. 9 July 2021.
  23. "SNP apologise to Jacob Rees-Mogg over 'rot in hell' tweet sent by Glasgow MSP". 14 July 2021.
  24. "SNP MSP James Dornan branded 'shameful' for comments about a BBC journalist". 17 February 2022.
  25. "Tory attacks Nicola Sturgeon over SNP MSP's Sarah Smith tweets".
  26. McCall, Chris (14 June 2023). "SNP MSP compares police search of Nicola Sturgeon property to 'Fred West's house'". Daily Record.
  27. Young, Gregor (15 August 2024). "Operation Branchform probe into SNP finances 'is a farce', MSP claims". The National. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  28. "Kneecap axed from TRNSMT festival over police concerns". BBC News. 28 May 2025.
  29. "Glasgow politicians question Kneecap TRNSMT axe". STV News. 30 May 2025.
James Dornan
MSP
James Dornan MSP.jpg
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Glasgow Cathcart
Assumed office
5 May 2011