Nicola Sturgeon condemns Ruth Davidson 'Dykey D' rap skit

Nicola Sturgeon has criticised a controversial satire performance by an all-female comedy troupe which branded Tory leader Ruth Davidson as "Dykey D."
Nicola Sturgeon condemned the rap skit. Picture; Neil HannaNicola Sturgeon condemned the rap skit. Picture; Neil Hanna
Nicola Sturgeon condemned the rap skit. Picture; Neil Hanna

The skit by the group "Whatserface" took the form of a mock "rap-off"" by performers in the role of leading Scottish political figures, but prompted a row over claims of homophobia.


The issue was raised by Tory MSP Annie Wells during First Minister's Questions today who said the episode at the weekend was "crass and deeply offensive and can never be excused as satire."


Ms Sturgeon told MSPs she agreed with this description.

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"This is serious. I, as I hope everyone would know, even my sternest critics would accept, that I would never ever condone homophobia.


"I genuinely hope there is no-one across this chamber that would argue with that.


"Some of terminology that we've heard used in satire in recent days is terminology I would never use. It's terminology I don't condone and its terminology I can well understand that people would be offended by."


The satirical "rap-off" happened at the relaunch of the Scottish Independence convention at St Lukes in Glasgow at the weekend.

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It involved members of the group Whitsherface pretending to be Ms Davidson, Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Nationalist MP Mhairi Black.


When footage appeared on social media it provoked a storm of criticism.


Ms Davidson, who is openly gay, was referred to as "Ruth Dykey D" and the performer doing her rap unleashed a string of sexually-provocative expletives in the direction of Ms Black's character.


SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who was at the event, was criticised after describing the skit as "hilariously irreverent satire."

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 But Ms Sturgeon defended her fellow Nationalist MP who is also openly gay.


The First Minister added: "It's not appropriate, I don't think or not reasonable to describe, for example, a lesbian woman who has been out for 30 years, because she personally isn't offended by some of that, as homophobic.


"Let's all unite in condemning homophobia."


Addressing activists across the political divide, including her own party, Ms Sturgeon said: "Let's not use these things as often to throw things at each other as politicians - let's instead unite as a Parliament to say that homophobia has no place in our society."

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