Councillor suspended by SNP after criticising Government

A HIGHLANDS councillor has been suspended by his SNP branch after he criticised the Scottish Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ron Macwilliam has had the whip removed by the party.

He has been formally suspended by the SNP group on Highland Council.

He said: “I want to make clear that I remain a member of the Scottish National Party and I look forward to setting the record straight at a disciplinary panel once the pandemic is over.

“I will, however, not sit back and allow politicians of any party, including my own, to act so slowly and evasively without question during the most horrific humanitarian crisis of the past century.”

He added: “I will continue my work to build up a community resilience network.

“I will do so without distraction and so will our amazing volunteers.”

Ian Cockburn, the co-leader of the SNP Highlands group, confirmed he has been suspended.

He added: “There will be a formal inquiry into his suspension after the Covid-19 pandemic situation is over.”

SNP headquarters denied claims the central party had suspended him.