Mother of dead soldier urges Aberdeen South MP to quit over "disgusting" behaviour in Iraq

The mother of a soldier who died in Iraq has said a Conservative MP should stand down because of his “disgusting” behaviour while on a fact-finding visit in the country.

Ross Thomson MP, who represents Aberdeen South, posted pictures and joked about channelling his “inner dictator” during a trip to Saddam Hussein's infamous military parade ground in Baghdad.

Diane Douglas, from Aberdeen, who lost her son Lance Corporal Allan Douglas when he was shot and killed in January 2006, called for the MP to lose his seat in parliament over his actions.

She said: “Why would he sit there and laugh? That's disgusting. I don't know what I'd say (if I saw him), I'd probably punch him in the face first and ask him what was he thinking.

“So many lives were lost over there so he could be a free man.

“I'm a bit speechless, to think - especially a member of parliament - could do such a thing.

“I don't think he should be posting anything, I think he should be sacked.”

When asked whether he should remain as an MP, she said: “I don't think so.”

Lance Corporal Douglas had joined the British Army when he was 17 and served in the armed forces until his death in Al Amarah in 2006.

The 22-year-old had been on routine patrol when he was shot and later died.

Pictures posted on a private Facebook group and obtained by The Herald newspaper show the MP pretending to hold the notorious Victory Arch - a symbol of Saddam's brutal rule - in his hands as well as smiling while sitting on the dictator's throne.

Alongside a smiling emoji wearing sunglasses, Mr Thomson wrote: “Another terrific day in Iraq.

“I was able to channel my inner dictator with a visit to Sadam's sic military parade ground The Swords of Qadisiyah (Victory Arch) and then sitting on Saddam's throne at the British embassy.''

Mr Thomson later said he did not intend to cause offence with the post.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “Ross has already made clear he did not intend to cause any offence and apologises to anyone who has been upset.

“He has nothing but the highest regard for those who lost their life in the Iraq war."