AN SNP MP has ‘insulted the Queen’ by crossing his fingers while swearing an oath to her.
Steven Bonnar crossed the fore and middle fingers as he held up his right hand while being sworn in as an MP today.
All MPs are legally required to make the pledge, during which they swear allegiance to “Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors”.
The new member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill then appeared to make a subtle republican statement during the event.
He later tweeted a screengrab from the dramatic pledge, but had appeared to have cropped out his hand.
Mr Bonnar tweeted: “That’s us all official now. I have been sworn in as the MP for Coatbridge Chryston and Bellshill.
“I look forward to serving all constituents to the best of my ability for the time Scotland remains within the UK.”
He made no mention of the monarchy or crossing his fingers in the social media post.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen accused him of insulting the queen.
He told the Sun Online: “There are very few actions of the SNP MPs that would shock me, so I cant say it comes as a surprise, but I am sure they think its being very very clever.
“Its insulting to the Queen, its insulting to parliament, but the SNP hold very little value for the institution of the House of Commons.”
Twitter users acted angrily to the image, with one demanding answers from both him and the SNP.
They said: “Just a simple question @StevenBonnarSNP what possessed you to cross your fingers whilst affirming your lawful oath to serve @theSNP and members of your Constituency? We need this to be addressed with a public statement.”
Another added: “Fingers crossed smart a**e, I would judge my friends from Bellshill will be well pleased. Enjoy your 4 years.”
In 2015 Labour’s Richard Burgon used a very similar form of words to register his protest.
He made it clear he was being “forced” to swear allegiance to the British monarch.
