MP accuses SNP of smear attempt to de-select her

A NATIONALIST MP has accused her party of launching a smear campaign against her for claiming Christians face ‘persecution’ within British politics.

Dr Lisa Cameron expressed serious concerns over ‘lies’ being used to ‘smear me, portray me as a liar and have me de-selected’.

The MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow is at the centre of a row within the SNP after she voted against a move to liberalise abortion laws in Northern Ireland, citing her faith and the experience of two miscarriages as the reason.

The move sparked fury among party members and senior SNP officials, with Dr Cameron receiving more than 1,000 abusive messages.

Yesterday, an SNP source claimed Dr Cameron was using her religion to avoid de-selection – or preparing it as a defence should she be dumped by the party.

They claimed that she had failed to mention her religious beliefs during the party’s vetting process – revealing she had said she was ‘not religious’. But Dr Cameron said she was never asked about her religion or her views on abortion laws.

She said it was ‘astonishing’ that sources had attempted to ‘peddle Deputy Scottish Political Editor lies about my faith’. Dr Cameron added: ‘I was married in the Church of Scotland over ten years ago, and both my children were christened in the church long before I was ever a candidate.’

The latest attack came after she claimed Christian voices are suffering ‘intolerance and persecution’ within British politics.

Writing in this newspaper yesterday, she said she believed the UK political system had become ‘very intolerant towards Christians’.

It came as the Catholic Church warned against those trying to silence religious views.

Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: ‘Scotland’s party leaders should make clear their support for anyone who expresses a legal and peaceable view in accordance with their faith and beliefs.’

An SNP spokesman said: ‘As the votes last week demonstrate, the SNP operates a policy where votes on such matters are free votes – meaning there is no party whip.

‘As we have made clear, no one would fail candidate assessment because of their religious views.’