Thanks on record

In your report of 2 May, you carried a strange remark from Malcolm Bruce MP to the effect that, following his triumph in the Gordon constituency, Alex Salmond had somehow behaved "gracelessly" in his victory speech. Mr Bruce backed up this charge with an accusation that Mr Salmond had neglected to thank the other candidates, or even the voters who elected him.

Unfortunately for Mr Bruce, the First Minister's victory speech after the Gordon count is well documented on websites such as YouTube. If anyone cares to watch the clip in question, they will find that the First Minister congratulated all of the other candidates within ten seconds of taking his place at the lectern, and thanked the voters of Gordon swiftly afterwards.

It's possible Mr Bruce's continued discombobulation at the Gordon result has clouded his recollection. I can only hope, as his SNP opponent in the forthcoming Westminster election, that he will suffer no such further confusions in our exchanges to come.

Richard Thomson

SNP Westminster candidate

Littlejohn Street

Huntly, Aberdeenshire