SNP deputy leader candidate is victim of sectarian abuse
POLICE have intervened after a contender for the SNP’s deputy leadership received a deluge of sectarian abuse.
Chris McEleny, a councillor who became the first declared candidate to become Nicola Sturgeon’s number two, was offered advice by officers concerned at the online Facebook attacks.
Examples include Mr McEleny being labelled an “IRA scumbag” while another internet user wrote “SNP.. Supports Natzi [sic] provos.” Other comments are too explicit to be repeated.
The leader of the SNP group on Inverclyde Council said he hoped to raise awareness by speaking out. He said: “People often say you need to have a thick skin in politics, but that sort of rhetoric deserves to be left in the past.
“Sectarian abuse and vile name calling isn’t something that upsets me that much as you learn to expect it, I just don’t like it when my family see it. I think that it does tell you that there are still obvious barriers to people from certain backgrounds putting themselves forward in politics that we need to overcome.”
Police Scotland confirmed that it is aware of the abuse and that officers have spoken with Mr McEleny, who was also targeted last year after he suggested on Twitter he believed Rangers are a new club.
A spokesman for the force said: “We have not received any complaint. However, we can confirm that advice and guidance was given.”
Meanwhile, Edinburgh MP Tommy Sheppard has become the fourth candidate to enter the SNP’s deputy leadership race, alongside Mr McEleny, Westminster group leader Angus Robertson and MEP Alyn Smith.
Mr Sheppard, a comedy club boss and relative newcomer to the party after joining in 2014, launched his bid in Edinburgh last night.
He said he had been overwhelmed by levels of support since revealing he would stand over the weekend.