Nationalist candidate quits after sending out ‘ homophobic’ email

AN SNP candidate has been suspended and forced to resign after a probe was launched into an allegedly homophobic email.

Councillor Andy Doig, 53, had been chosen to stand in Renfrewshire South, with support from gay Nationalist MP Mhairi Black.

However, yesterday he apologised and resigned. He said the email, which has been described as homophobic and misogynistic, was intended to be ‘humorous’.

Mr Doig refused to disclose the content of the email but called on Nicola Sturgeon to investigate why it was leaked.

He said an SNP parliamentary employee had leaked the email – and even claimed he was the victim of prejudice as a male heterosexual. Mr Doig said yesterday: ‘I would like to apologise unreservedly to those mentioned in what was a private email from me to two friends and to those who are offended by its content.

‘This was a private spoof press statement, not intended for public consumption.

‘I welcomed on Twitter the vote in Ireland for same-sex marriage and one of the main political campaigns I was involved in in the late 1980s was to stop the closure of the Women’s Aid refuge in Falkirk. So I refute charges of misogyny and homophobia.

‘The email was clearly a spoof but the point is that 21st century Scotland is about tolerating a range of sexualities and that should include male heterosexuals. This was private until it was made public by an SNP parliamentary employee.’

Mr Doig said he would continue to be a councillor, as an independent.

When he was confirmed as the SNP candidate, Miss Black said: ‘He will be a superb representative for the constituency.’

Alex Johnstone, Tory MSP, said: ‘There is a nasty strain that runs right through the SNP and the party leadership seems powerless to stop it.’

An SNP spokesman said Mr Doig ‘has been suspended pending a full investigation’.

Hugh Henry, Labour MSP for Renfrewshire South, said: ‘This brings into question his suitability as a councillor here.’