Ukip MEP David Coburn Bashes Foreign Doctors' Grasp Of English In Error-Riddled Post

Pot. Kettle. Black.
David Coburn struggled to master his own English while trying to criticise others' use of it
David Coburn struggled to master his own English while trying to criticise others' use of it
Gareth Fuller/PA Archive

A Ukip MEP has been mocked for posting a grammar error-littered message criticising foreigners who can't speak English.

David Coburn, the party's sole MEP in Scotland, took it upon himself to castigate doctors coming from outside the UK to work in the NHS who had a "poor grasp" of the country's language.

"Does anyone want to [sic] treated by a Foreign [sic] doctor with a poor grasp of [sic] English language?" he mused angrily.

But the post, which in 86 characters manages to commit three mistakes, was used to roundly mock Coburn, one aggreived Twitter user asking:

Does anyone want to be represented by an MEP with a poor grasp of the English language? pic.twitter.com/Neb6fdxYQk

— Oonagh (@Okeating) May 28, 2016

In an attempt to explain himself, Coburn tried again, this time managing to make five errors in a single tweet while bashing those who did not meet a "high proficiency of english [sic]".

Relationship between doctor and patient is complex both intend of diagnosis communication and treatment requires high proficiency of english

— David Coburn MEP (@DavidCoburnUKip) May 28, 2016

The resulting post left people even more baffled than they were before.

@DavidCoburnUKip If you've managed to get by reasonably well so far given your limited grasp of English, you might give doctors a break.

— Peter Arnott (@PeterArnottGlas) May 28, 2016

Being a #UKIP MEP, however, does NOT require high levels of proficiency in English. https://t.co/FB9VazWzhy

— Mark Bartlam (@MarkIsAngry) May 29, 2016

He seemed to take the mistakes in good grace, though, re-tweeting some of the rebuttals levied at him.

I suggest u learn English b4 u start to criticise others. I would surmise x2 tested foreign Doctors r better than u https://t.co/8im3nwYzjr

— John MacAskill (@John_G_MacA) May 30, 2016

@DavidCoburnUKip @JamesKelly I still thank my German registrar and Polish ortho surgeon at Dr Grays in Elgin for patching me up.

— David Martin (@DavidInverisla) May 29, 2016

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