The public Twitter fallout between an Aberdeen Labour councillor and the Aberdeen Donside MSP shows now sign of coming to an end.
The public disagreement started when Labour councillor Willie Young was accused of “gutter politics” by the SNP’s Mark McDonald after the pair clashed over delays in the local authority’s autism strategy.
Mr Young had earlier claimed the Donside MSP used his family as “political tools”.
Mr McDonald’s six-year-old son, Malcolm, suffers from autism, and the politician often campaigns to spread awareness of the condition.
In two social media posts Mr Young said it was “unbelievable” that Mr McDonald was “going on about autism” when he had overseen the closure of several city schools, referencing the closure of Raeden School for children with special needs in June 2011.
Last night the Scottish Labour Party distanced themselves from the comments, with a spokesman saying: “The content of Twitter messages from Councillor Young are his responsibility and a matter for him to comment on.”
Today Mr Young tweeted to apologise for any upset caused by his tweet.
Sorry if people found my tweet offensive and apologise for any upset that might have caused.
— William Young (@youngwd1) December 9, 2014
However, Mr McDonald has since taken to Twitter to reply, saying that while Mr Young’s tweet was ‘a step in the right direction’, he is still awaiting a direct apology.
Councillor Young has not apologised directly to me. The time for an apology was yesterday when he was asked if he stood by his remarks (1/3)
— Mark McDonald (@markmcdsnp) December 9, 2014
Not only did he stand by his remarks yesterday, he went further and said more than he did in his original tweet on Sunday (2/3)
— Mark McDonald (@markmcdsnp) December 9, 2014
While an apology may be a step in the right direction, Labour locally and nationally have a responsibility to take appropriate action (3/3)
— Mark McDonald (@markmcdsnp) December 9, 2014