SNP apologises for three-year-old post made on Facebook

Social Media: Candidate sorry for any offence caused

The SNP has apologised unreservedly for a Facebook post made by one of its Dunfermline Central candidates.

It follows revelations that Labour candidate Garry Haldane, who is standing in the same ward, is facing a probe for his social media conduct.

Last week, Scottish Labour and Royal Mail confirmed they were looking into allegations that Mr Haldane shared sexist and racist messages on Facebook.

That prompted Scottish Labour to contact The Courier about a post left by SNP candidate Jean Hall Muir three years ago.

The post, referring to women with mental health problems, was similar to one of the controversial messages shared by Mr Haldane in April last year.

A spokesperson for Dunfermline SNP said: “Jean Hall Muir is a vocal advocate for mental health support and has had personal experience of challenges it can bring, so she would like to apologise, unreservedly, for any offence she inadvertently caused by sharing this post.”

The post she shared included the statement: “25% of women in this country are on medication for mental illness. That’s scary. It means 75% are running around untreated.”

Ms Hall Muir, who chairs her local community council, is standing for the SNP alongside councillor Neale Hanvey in the Dunfermline Central ward.

Scottish Labour is also fielding two candidates in the ward. Trade union branch secretary Mr Haldane is standing alongside Provost of Fife Jim Leishman for the party.

The SNP spokesperson added: “It is of note that while Scottish Labour have yet to condemn the judgment of Mr Haldane in sharing a catalogue of racist, sexist, and other offensive material online, the Scottish Labour Party has found time to a go through an SNP candidate’s social media history, going back years, to find anything they can attempt to claim equivalence on.

“The SNP are investing £150 million in additional funds developing mental health services at the same time as Fife Labour have cut all financial support for the local Dunfermline charity Headroom, which delivers expert counselling to children in local secondary schools and is now at risk of closure.”

“An SNP administration will work to keep this service going.”

The Scottish Labour Party has found time to a go through an SNP candidate’s social media history, going back years, to find anything they can attemptto claim equivalence on