A Kirkwallian in Springfield . . .

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has responded to the news that Groundskeeper Willie, from The Simpsons, hails from Kirkwall.

The revelation, which will be made in the episode The Daughter Also Rises, to be broadcast in the US on February 12, will come as quite a shock to many, who had assumed from his accent that the character was Glaswegian. According to The Simpsons writer, Rob Lazebnik, Willie was born of a Doonie father and an Uppie mother, in a family almost torn apart by the rivalry of the Ba’.

Mr McArthur commented: “We know that those with Orkney roots are to be found far and wide across the globe.  It should come as no surprise then that the Orkney diaspora has even reached Springfield USA.  I was concerned to note, however, that Glasgow City Council have made moves to claim Groundskeeper Willie as one of their own by listing him as an ‘alleged’ son of their city.

“In light of recent, incontrovertible evidence, and to avoid any future confusion, I have written to the leader of Glasgow City Council, requesting that they renounce the claim on their website, and in any other relevant materials.  A Parliamentary Motion has also been lodged to this effect.”