‘Intimidating’ SNP Facebook message taken down

The Facebook message urging SNP supporters to take pictures of Labour canvassers. Picture: contributed

The controversial post – now removed – suggested Nationalist sympathisers should ask Labour campaigners who came to the door about the party’s voting record on the renewal of Trident, austerity economics and calls for a moratorium on fracking.

And it added: “If they lie, take a picture of them and post the information – use hashtag #Labourdoorstep.”

Cammy Day, Labour’s candidate in Edinburgh West, branded the tactic “ludicrous”.

But he continued: “My campaign team have more important things to do than worry about what the SNP are doing.

“Our people will continue knocking on doors and persuading people to vote Labour.”

Edinburgh West is currently held by Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart, who had a 3803 majority over Labour in 2010 with the Nationalists finishing in fourth place. But the SNP won the equivalent Holyrood seat from the Lib Dems in 2011.

Mr Day said: “It doesn’t surprise me the SNP advocate this kind of thing.

“They know Edinburgh West will be won by Labour or the SNP and that’s why they’re using these intimidating and bullying tactics.”

He said he was not aware of any voters following the SNP’s advice and photographing Labour canvassers.

He said: “Most people we meet in Edinburgh West are very pleasant and have no problem with us, whichever party they support.

“I’ve not seen anything like this from any other party. Hopefully the SNP will adopt more grown-up and sensible tactics in future.”

Colin Keir, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Western, said he did not know who had posted the message.

But he said: “I don’t agree with it. Someone has got a bit exuberant.

“It has been taken down and we have explained this is not acceptable.

“I’ve no idea who did it, but I dare say someone will have a word with them.

“Thankfully there was no personal insult directed at any individual, but the message is wrong.”

An SNP spokeswoman said: “We absolutely do not condone this and we have told the branch that. The post has now been removed.”