SNP MPs Deny Defence Secretary’s Claim They Got Drunk on Armistice Day Trip to Gibraltar
10:32 GMT 11.11.2021 (Updated: 15:58 GMT 11.11.2021)
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A group of 15 MPs visited the Gibraltar - which has been British since 1713 - as part of an Armistice Day trip. The visit was part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which aims to give MPs an insight into military life.
Two SNP MPs have rejected claims by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace they got drunk during an official Remembrance Sunday trip to the Rock of Gibraltar.
David Linden and Drew Hendry denied Mr Wallace’s claims and the SNP called it "a Tory smear."
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols was accused of being so drunk she had to be taken out of Gibraltar airport in a wheelchair.
Honoured to be visiting service personnel in Gibraltar as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. Appreciating the opportunity to meet with and thank service personnel for everything they do. pic.twitter.com/EmdB9NG5wG
— David Linden MP (@DavidLinden) November 10, 2021
Mr Wallace claimed they had shown a “lack of respect” for the armed forces and had been guilty of "undermining respect for Parliament.”
The Daily Telegraph reported Mr Wallace as saying the trio had put their hosts "in a difficult position."
The BBC claimed to have spoken to a witness who said the three MPs had been drinking in the departure lounge at Heathrow Airport and continued imbibing on the flight and were “inebriated” on arriving in Gibraltar.
The incident came as British soldiers, sailors and airmen marked Armistice Day on Thursday, 11 November.
I'm honoured to be attending the Armed Forces Parliamentary visit to Gibraltar, ahead of Armistice Day, to see the brilliant work of our troops. pic.twitter.com/xUqaYdaGo6
— Drew Hendry MP #ScotlandsChoice (@drewhendrySNP) November 10, 2021
Mr Hendry accused Mr Wallace of making "false claims" and said: "That is a matter for their conscience. I'll focus on doing my job and respecting our troops as we mark Armistice Day."
Ms Nichols issued a statement to The Sun newspaper in which she said: “Everyone had had a few drinks on the flight. The issue for me is the medication I am taking. That affected my tolerance. I had the same amount to drink as the others. I do not know how many drinks I had, I wasn't counting. It was less than five.”
Later the BBC reported she had a "mental health episode" and was on medication for post-traumatic stress disorder.
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