Controversy
In June 2011, Davidson accused the Scottish National Party of "narrow neo-fascism". The choice of language resulted in the Labour Party distancing itself from Mr Davidson's comments, saying the use of the word "neo-fascist" was unacceptable, even in the heat of debate, and prompted many in the Scottish National Party (SNP) - the Governing party in Scotland - to call on him to resign as chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee.
On 25 October 2011 it emerged that Clerks appointed to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee had raised concerns with the Clerk of Committees, the most senior official responsible for House of Commons Select Committees, alleging that Ian Davidson had threatened to inflict "a doing" upon fellow committee member Eilidh Whiteford, in the event that details of the committee's discussions during a private session were leaked to the media. Following the allegations Dr Whiteford withdrew from the committee and a formal complaint was made by the SNP Parliamentary Leader, Angus Robertson, to the Speaker of the House.
At the next session of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee on 26 October, Davidson made a public apology "for any offense that might have been caused" by his remarks; simultaneously denying that the remarks had been in any way threatening.
Committee members present had suggested that "Davidson may have apologised to Dr Whiteford for the other members of the committee “giving her a doing” over independence". However, the remarks were allegedly regarded by another committee member at the time as being sufficiently inappropriate to warrant a note, expressing such concerns, to be passed to Davidson.
However Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative committee members all stated that no threats were made. With fellow committee member Fiona Bruce stating that she did not hear any threats, merely a political debate and Alan Reid stating that he also did not hear any threats being made and was surprised that the issue was raised six days later. After an investigation the Labour Party stated that it amounted to a "smear campaign" against Davidson due to the forthcoming investigations chaired by Davidson into the SNP's referendum proposal. Several equality campaigners and academics have criticised Davidson for using inappropriate language, although Sandra Osborne, a Labour MP and former Women's Aid counsellor, criticised Whiteford for equating political debating with violence against women.
A member of the SNP politician Joan McAlpine's staff, Gail Lythgoe, was found to have emailed a Women's equality group, supporting Whiteford and alleging that Davidson has a history of bullying Women and called on them to demonstrate against him whilst asking them not to reveal SNP involvement in its instigation. The email was later leaked and Lythgoe publicly apologised for making unsubstantiated allegations, with the Labour Party alleging that this was a result of an SNP "dirty tricks campaign" against Davidson and called for an investigation.
Read more about this topic: Ian Davidson (Scottish Politician)
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