CONTROVERSIAL MSP John Mason — who has been expelled from the SNP over “flippantly” dismissing claims of a genocide in Gaza — is considering an appeal. 

In response to claims Israel was conducting genocide in Gaza, in August the Glasgow Shettleston MSP posted on X (formerly Twitter): “If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed 10 times as many.”

The post prompted the SNP to withdraw the whip, stating: “To flippantly dismiss the death of more than 40,000 Palestinians is completely unacceptable.”

It marked the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged Mr Mason’s 25 years in public office, including opposing same-sex marriage and buffer zones around abortion clinics, and arguing in 2015 that creationism should be taught in schools. 

He told BBC Radio Scotland today: “I have the right to appeal so I need to consider whether I’m going to do that or not.”

He added: “I do not think Israel has committed genocide.

“There is a difference between war and genocide.”