The newest SNP MP, Lara Bird, has sparked outrage after being caught switching accents during her swearing-in ceremony in the House of Commons. Social media users quickly spotted a distinct difference between her voice in Parliament and in previous online clips, accusing her of faking a Scottish accent.
Swearing-In Ceremony Controversy
Lara Bird, 28, was sworn in as the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry this week. During the ceremony, she spoke with a distinctly Scottish accent. However, earlier videos shared on her social media accounts feature a noticeably more English intonation. The discrepancy led to accusations of 'faking' a Scottish accent, with many social media users expressing outrage.
Adding to the controversy, Bird crossed her fingers while pledging allegiance to the King, a gesture that drew further criticism.
Background and Explanation
Bird has previously addressed her mixed accent, attributing it to time spent living in London and having an English parent. In an interview with The Courier, she explained: 'I think I probably just picked up a bit of an accent when I was there and because I've grown up with an English side of my family. But when I come back to Dundee, the Dundonian accent comes back a wee bit stronger and it is just one of those things.'
Despite her explanation, the incident has fueled debate about authenticity and identity among politicians, particularly those representing Scottish constituencies.
