Lib Dems back election chief in

● Party hits out after SNP calls for Alex Cole-hamilton MSP to be suspended during inquiry into 2016 election expenses

The Liberal Democrats are standing by their general election campaign director after Alex Cole-hamilton was reported to prosecutors over allegations surrounding his election expenses.

Mr Cole-hamilton’s victory in Edinburgh West at the 2016 Holyrood election was investigated over claims that local leaflets were listed against spending limits for his regional list campaign.

The SNP has called for Mr Cole-hamilton to be suspended by his party until the investigation is concluded.

But yesterday the Liberal Democrats hit out at the length of time it has taken for the claims to investigated, and insisted Mr Cole-hamilton would be cleared.

Mrcole-hamiltonwonedinburgh West by 2,960 votes, declaring spending of £32,549 – just short of the constituency limit – to defeat the SNP’S Tony Giugliano, who spent £18,593.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “We have full confidence that there is nothing in this complaint.

“It’s now nine months since the complaint was first made and the police have yet to interview anyone associated with the campaign.

“We are fully satisfied that all election arrangements and spending was done in accordance to the law. Everything was done by the book and any proceedings will show this.”

Mr Giugliano, who is standing again for the SNP in the equivalent Westminster seat, said the allegations were “very serious”.

He said: “The clock is ticking: Willie Rennie must immediately remove Alex Cole-hamilton as the party’s general election director.

“Considering the severity of the allegations, the public would fully expect Mr Colehamilton to be suspended from the Lib Dems at once until investigations have concluded.”

The previous MP for Edinburgh West, Michelle Thomson, resigned from the SNP after police opened an investigation into her property dealings, and was not readmitted to stand for the party in the general election.

Last w in Mr Cole-hamilton, adding: “It’s going to be fine.”

A Crown Office spokesman said: “The procurator-fiscal has received a report concerning a 39-year-old male in connection with an alleged incident on 7 June, 2016.

“The report is under consideration.”

0 Lib Dem leader Tim Farron with Alex Cole-hamilton and Edinburgh West candidate Christine Jardine