Labour MP takes oath in Gaelic and ‘Scottish style’

Labour’s new MP for the Western Isles has sworn his oath of allegiance in Gaelic on a Gaelic bible.

Torcuil Crichton, who won the Na h-Eileanan an Iar seat at the General Election, also opted to swear in the “Scottish style”.

New MPs must take an oath of allegiance to the Crown when they are elected and can either do so using a religious text or by making a non-religious affirmation by law.

Oaths must be taken in English first but by law can also be taken in Gaelic, Welsh or Cornish.

Some MPs have also taken their oaths in Scots.

During the traditional swearing-in ceremony, Crichton – a former Daily Record journalist – chose to take his oath the “Scottish way”.

MPs usually take the oath by holding a sacred text in their uplifted hands and saying the words: “I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”

The Oaths Act 1978 allows MPs to take the oath in the Scottish manner which involves lifting their right hand up but not lifting the sacred text.

MPs can also read a non-religious version of the oath: “I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”

MPs who fail to take the oath or affirmation are now allowed to take their seat, speak in debates, vote or receive a salary.

All six of Cornwall’s MPs chose to take their oaths in Cornish while Labour MP Clive Lewis used his oath to protest the monarchy, saying before the official affirmation: “I take this oath under protest and in the hope that one day my fellow citizens will democratically decide to live in a republic.”

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s SDLP leader Colum Eastwood prefaced his oath by saying: “I’ll read out this empty formula in order to represent my constituents but it’s under protest.”

He added after: “My true allegiance is to the people of Derry and the people of Ireland.”

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak opted to take his oath on a copy of the Hindu holy text the Bhagavad Gita while other MPs chose the Quran or the Torah, among other texts. 

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