The newest member of the SNP drew attention for multiple reasons during her swearing-in ceremony this week.

13:12, Wed, Jun 24, 2026 Updated: 13:12, Wed, Jun 24, 2026

MP for Arbroath Lara Bird accused of 'faking' Scottish accent

A new SNP MP has been exposed for "switching between accents" after social media users spotted a difference between her voice in the House of Commons and in previous online clips. Lara Bird was sworn in as the new representative for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry this week, and also courted controversy by crossing her fingers as she pledged allegiance to the King.

The 28-year-old spoke in a distinctly Scottish accent during the swearing-in ceremony, but previous videos shared to her social media accounts sound noticeably more English.

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Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election

The SNP politician has caught attention for her changing accent (Image: House of Commons/PA Wire)

Ms Bird has previously attributed her mix of intonations to time spent in London and having an English parent.

She told The Courier: "I think I probably just picked up a bit of an accent when I was there and because I've grown up with an English side of my family. But when I come back to Dundee, the Dundonian accent comes back a wee bit stronger and it is just one of those things."

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