Murdo Fraser, the Tory MSP, has given Scotland a perfect performance of "vice-signalling".

Think of virtue-signalling in reverse, whilst wearing Darth Vadar’s helmet.

Fraser decided to claim that a version of the Pride flag - containing additional colours to represent folk who died from HIV/AIDS, the trans community and people of colour - was “homophobic”.

I believe Fraser, like myself, is straight. Being straight, I tend to leave it to the LGBT community to decide what’s homophobic. Fraser, however, seems to believe that including trans people is a homophobic act.

It rather bewildered Scotland’s LGBT community. Certainly, when I asked friends who are gay - ranging in age from 25 to 82 - they were mystified by Fraser suddenly becoming a warrior against homophobia.

In 2014, when the Scottish Parliament voted for gay marriage, Fraser was one of just 18 MSPs opposed.

Last year, whilst running for leadership of the Scottish Tory Party, Fraser said he’s still opposed to gay marriage. It’s due to his religious beliefs, apparently.

Still, none of this stopped him shooting his gob off in a thoroughly attention-seeking fashion which seemed designed to both offend and be unnecessarily cruel. Which is vice-signalling in a nutshell.

Though maybe Fraser had different conversations than I with his own gay friends that justified his actions?

Anas Sarwar, realising that nothing matters so much as thirsting to be the centre of attention, got in on the vice-signalling act.

He accused John Swinney of running a “disgraceful”........

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