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SNP MP Lara Bird Sparks Oath Controversy Over Accent, Gesture

6/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

SNP MP Lara Bird took the oath on June 24, 2026, and faced accusations of a fabricated Scottish accent and a finger-crossing gesture.
Bird, raised in Scotland and educated in England, said her English-tinged speech returned after moving back to Broughty Ferry in 2024.
Conservatives and Reform UK condemned the oath as cringeworthy and disrespectful, while the SNP defended Bird, noting her 5,278-vote majority.

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Story summary

SNP MP Lara Bird took the oath on June 24, 2026, and faced accusations of a fabricated Scottish accent and a finger-crossing gesture.
Bird, raised in Scotland and educated in England, said her English-tinged speech returned after moving back to Broughty Ferry in 2024.
Conservatives and Reform UK condemned the oath as cringeworthy and disrespectful, while the SNP defended Bird, noting her 5,278-vote majority.