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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Official Says Beggars Are Mostly Scots

Compiled From Wire Services

A British government minister outraged Scots on Friday, claiming most beggars in London are Scottish, and don’t need the money anyway.

“There are no genuine beggars. Beggars are doing so out of choice, because they find it more pleasant,” David Maclean told the News and Star newspaper, calling the panhandlers a “disgrace” and “embarrassment.”

“Most of them are Scots,” he added.

Scottish politicians were outraged by the remarks, even though Maclean is a Scot himself.

“What we’ve got from this Home Office minister is an outrageous and insulting offense to the Scots,” said George Robertson, the opposition Labor Party’s spokesman on Scotland.