Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has apologised after a move to legalise haggis in the US state was revealed to be a joke. The stunt, which involved a petition from Scottish football fans, led to an executive order that was later withdrawn.
Background of the Haggis Ban
Haggis, Scotland's national dish, was made illegal in the United States in 1971 under federal food regulations because it contains sheep's lungs. Butcher Simon Howie, who travelled with the Tartan Army to Boston for the World Cup, launched a petition to lift the ban.
The Petition and Executive Order
Howie's petition was signed by over 500 Scotland fans. In response, Governor Healey signed an executive order alongside Scots podcaster David McIntosh Jnr at the State House in Boston on Wednesday. She posted on social media: "We just made haggis legal in Massachusetts."
Apology and Clarification
However, Governor Healey took to Instagram to confirm the stunt was a joke. She said: "After careful review by my office, I am prepared to clarify that this was, in fact, a joke." She apologised for any confusion and praised Scottish fans for their enthusiasm.
In a follow-up video, podcaster David McIntosh appeared with Healey in a bar, saying: "We caused quite a stir yesterday... and unofficially we made haggis 'legal,' unofficial. That was my bad!" He added: "We had to announce that the haggis legislation was indeed for a bit of patter!"
Reactions
Butcher Simon Howie, who launched the "Make Haggis Legal Again" petition, expressed hope that the dish could one day be legalised. He said: "Scotland football fans are widely recognised as the best in the world, but they'll be doing it without access to their national dish."
