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SNP suspends cyber-troll who directed homophobic abuse at Ruth Davidson

SNP suspends cyber-troll who directed homophobic abuse at Ruth Davidson

A cyber-troll who hurled homophobic abuse at Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has been suspended by the SNP.

The Courier columnist was subjected to the foul mouthed, sexually explicit attack on Twitter by someone using the pseudonym Laird O’Callaghan, whose profile picture was an SNP logo.

His outburst which cannot be reproduced because of its content provoked fury from across the political spectrum, with international development minister Humzah Yousaf calling for the perpetrator to be expelled from the party.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed action had been taken during First Minister’s Questions, telling MSPs the culprit had been “identified and this morning suspended from membership of the SNP.”

She had earlier tweeted: “Homophobic abuse of @RuthDavidsonMSP or anyone else is unacceptable. End of. Anyone engaging in it is no friend of my party.”

Ms Davidson’s put-down to the bigot was straightforward. She replied to his rant: “Nice. Classy. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Bet she’s really proud of you.”

Thanking those who backed her online, she added: “I appear to have inspired great gallantry today. Thanks for all your messages.

“I call out a selection of the homophobic abuse I receive because people (especially young people) need to know that they don’t have to just sit there and take it.

“It’s not OK. They can challenge it. Your responses to this mindless idiot shows social media can be a good place. Now, put your twitter pitchforks down and get back to work!”