SNP politicians have been purging public pictures of themselves with a Dundee councillor under investigation for allegedly sending anti-Islamic text messages.
As we reported, Craig Melville has been suspended from both the party and his job as an aide to deputy leader and Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie after the communication was made public.
One message, allegedly sent a day after the Paris terror attacks to a fellow Nationalist he worked with, is reported to have read: “It’s not personal I just f****** hate your religion and I’ll do all in I’m life do defeat your filth (sic).”
Another said: “And in your favour we live in an uneducated left lift loopy left wing society who is more interested in claiming benefits and being ignorant to the threat of your horrible disease which is a make believe c*** in the sky (sic).
“Horrible murdering Islamic c***s.”
Police Scotland confirmed it has not received any official complaint about the alleged messages.
Mr Melville was given a police warning this month after an altercation at the SNP parliamentary office in Old Glamis Road in December 2014.
A senior SNP source told The Courier party members had been left shocked by the allegations. He added that fellow councillors are now removing online photographs of themselves with the Maryfield representative and environment committee convener.
The insider said: “The top of the party is taking this extremely seriously, that’s why they’ve taken the action they have.
“Knowing what kind of person Craig is, I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided he will fight it. But people are moving to disassociate themselves from him. ”
A party spokesman said: “The SNP condemns Islamophobia in the strongest possible terms and we will not tolerate it in our party. Craig Melville has been immediately suspended from the SNP and from his employment.”
Neither Mr Melville, who is understood to be out of the country on holiday, nor his alleged victim could be reached for comment.
Dundee City Council declined to comment.