Tory council election candidate who posted ‘extremely offensive’ Nicola Sturgeon comments suspended by party

Ken MacBrayne, 72, told he will receive no further party support after Facebook rants about Scottish First Minister

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (PA)

A Tory candidate in the local elections has been suspended from the party after posting “extremely offensive” online comments about Nicola Sturgeon.

Ken MacBrayne, 72, has been told he will receive no more support from the Scottish Conservatives after the emergence of Facebook posts targeting the First Minister as well as immigrants and asylum seekers.

One post described Ms Sturgeon as a “stupid little cretin” and asked “why can't someone stick a cattle prod up her nether region?”

Another publicly-viewable comment said: “It would please me no end if someone stuck a golf ball in Nicola Sturgeons mouth, tape it up and stick a bag over her head.”

Mr MacBrayne, who is standing for election to the Western Isles Council in Benbecula and North Uist, also shared posts by far-right group Britain First calling for immigrants and asylum seekers to be denied benefits.

He will still appear on the ballot on May 4 as the nomination list is finalised.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “These comments are totally unacceptable, and the party have informed the candidate that he shall be receiving no further support for his campaign.

“The party has also suspended Mr MacBrayne, and he is no longer a member.”

An SNP spokeswoman said: “Mr MacBrayne's comments are extremely offensive, with rants of this nature completely inappropriate from someone standing for public office.

“The disturbing, extremist views include what is essentially neo-Nazi propaganda gloating about a coming race war from a self-proclaimed 'resistance' group.

“It is staggering that this bile is coming from a Tory candidate, particularly just after Ruth Davidson has been forced to suspend candidates for similarly distasteful anti-Muslim outbursts.”

Press Association