SNP peddle ‘Yes’ booze ...while they tell us to cut drinking!

THE SNP is cashing in on selling branded booze – despite concerns about Scotland’s drinking culture and record high death rate.

The party has urged attendees of its annual conference this weekend to ‘get ready to toast Scotland’s future’ by buying Yes branded whisky, gin and vodka.

The ‘independence spirits’ were featured in an ‘exhibition’ zone of the online conference website.

As a result of Scotland’s high alcohol-related death rate, which rose 17 per cent to 1,190 last year, charities have urged the SNP to hike the minimum price of booze by almost a third – from 50p to 65p per unit.

However, a landmark report has revealed that the policy has done little to reduce the health impact of problem drinking.

It appears increasingly likely that SNP Ministers will hike the price of booze in the coming months.

At the same time, the Nationalist party is urging people to buy its own alcohol products to help bankroll its campaign for tearing the UK apart.

The SNP conference website promotes its Yes blended malt whisky at £44.99 for a 70cl (24 fluid oz) bottle, Yes vodka for £37.99 for a 50cl (17.5 fluid oz) bottle, and Yes gin for £32.99 for a 50cl bottle.

The products are also on the party’s website, which says: ‘A must have for SNP supporters across the country. Our Yes malt whisky is blended and bottled in Scotland and has crisp notes of barley, peach and Bramley apple. Slàinte Mhath!’

However, critics last night said the sale of branded Yes alcohol was the definition of hypocrisy.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex ColeHamilton said: ‘The SNP hypocrisy knows no bounds. As we fight to get the minimum pricing unit up to 65p, they are happily selling alcohol on their party website, pushing for their divisive agenda.’

Sue Webber, Scottish Conservative public health spokesman, said: ‘Selling distasteful products like this is inappropriate, given Scotland’s growing problem with alcohol.

‘The SNP have presided over the highest level of alcohol deaths since 2008, so they should think twice about promoting these branded spirits.’

However, the SNP last night defended its decision to sell alcohol products, insisting it was just like any other seller.

An SNP spokesman said: ‘As is clearly stated on the SNP store website, those who buy any alcohol are encouraged to consume it responsibly – just like any other responsible seller would do.’