East Lothian MSP invites UK pollution row minister to join him for Loony Dook at Gullane
East Lothian SNP MSP Paul McLennan has sent a cheeky invitation to former UK environment minister Steve Reed to join him for a Loony Dook at Gullane.
It follows controversial comments by Mr Reed during a TV interview in the summer when he wrongly claimed Scotland’s water pollution levels were worse than England’s.
Now Mr McLennan has suggested Mr Reed, dubbed “Sewage Steve” by the SNP, could start the new year by enjoying a dip at one of Scotland’s excellent-rated beaches.
Mr Reed, who is now Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, was asked on Channel 4 News in July about nationalisation of the water industry south of the border. And he said: “It is not guaranteed to work…and we know that from looking north of the border where, in Scotland, they have a nationalised water company but pollution levels in Scotland are worse than they are in England.”
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin asked him to retract the remarks, saying the Independent Water Commission had reported that 66 per cent of Scotland’s water bodies were of good ecological status as compared with 16.1 per cent in England
And the SNP says recent figures show that 97 per cent of Scotland’s designated bathing waters meet required standards, with 82 per cent achieving the Good or Excellent classifications.
In his invitation to Mr Reed, Mr McLennan said: “As you will recall, in your previous role as Environment Minister, you made false claims about the standard of Scotland’s bathing waters.
“Scotland is proud to boast some of the most beautiful swimming spots in the world. Since new Bathing Water regulations were fully implemented by the SNP Government in 2015, the number of beaches rated as Excellent by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has jumped from 17 to 47.
“You will no doubt be familiar with the Scottish tradition of starting the new year by taking a ‘Loony Dook’ in the sea. I would like to invite you to join me in starting 2026 by taking a dip at the wonderful Gullane beach in my constituency which has recently been awarded Excellent Bathing Water quality status.
“This will give you the chance to enjoy Scotland’s fine clean bathing waters for yourself. I will warn you that it is likely to be chilly, so I’d be happy to treat you a malt from one of our local distilleries to warm up afterwards.
“I’ll leave it to you to decide whether you wish to add a splash of Scotland’s excellent drinking water which is amongst the best in the world and costs Scots over £100 a year less in water bills than in England due to being publicly-owned.”