Campaigner behind petition to save iconic Scots pie says foodbanks are more important

A campaigner behind a petition to save the iconic Scots macaroni pie says politicians should back foodbanks instead.

Paul Tonner’s change.org petition has gathered nearly 2,000 signatures with the issue going as far as First Minister’s Questions.

He posted the petition after high street baker Greggs announced plans to stop making the iconic pie.

Nicola Sturgeon said she’d been told by her dad to back the petition despite not liking the savoury snacks.

However Tonner, in a video posted on the change.org site, now says the petition was a “stunt” and that politicians and supporters of the campaign should turn their attention to the issue of foodbanks and put their support behind them instead.

He said: "As you know, there are people in this country who don't have macaroni pies, who don't have anything. And they're relying on foodbanks to give them food every day.

"I'd also like to call on politicians, celebrities and newspapers who jumped on the macaroni pie bandwagon to reassess their priorities.

"What the last few days has shown is that even a daft wee idea can grow into something huge.

"But it has also made me aware that there are things that are far more important than a stodgy pasta pie."

Scotland is not the only country macaroni pies are popular. They are sold in many southern states of the USA and have been discovered in the Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago.