Police probing threat to ‘merc’ Tory candidate

POLICE in Dundee are investigating after a Conservative council candidate was subjected to alleged threats of physical violence.

Gavin Mackenzie, who is standing in the city’s Lochee ward, contacted officers over an apparently menacing message on Twitter sent to him earlier this month.

A social media troll claimed he would “merc” Mr Mackenzie – slang for a physical assault – if the Tory is seen campaigning in his area.

The poster was responding to another tweet by an antiUnion group mocking the election hopeful’s appearance.

A local Conservative Party spokesman condemned the message but said it would not deter Mr Mackenzie from campaigning in the run-up to May’s election.

The spokesman said: “Gavin won’t let a tiny minority of thugs affect his positive campaigning in Lochee – which has obviously touched a nerve somewhere.”

Police Scotland confirmed inquiries have been ongoing since they were alerted to the tweet.

A spokesman for the force said: “On Saturday April 23 officers were made aware of threats having been made online and inquiries are at an early stage.”

Several high-profile Scottish politicians previously revealed the shocking abuse and death threats they receive from the public.

Senior MPs and MSPs warned of the “visceral, poisonous and polarised nature” of the country’s national debate.

Gavin Mackenzie.