Former SNP figure attacks Glasgow East candidate

Published on Wednesday 9 July 2008 21:46

THE SNP campaign for Glasgow East suffered a setback last night when a former SNP MSP used a column in a national newspaper to attack the party's candidate.

Dorothy-Grace Elder, an SNP MSP between 1999 and 2002, claimed John Mason, the Nationalist candidate, had orchestrated a campaign against her.

She said that Mr Mason was the SNP's "Achilles' heel", and added: "He is the colourless man in the shadows, often sporting a bitter expression."

Ms Elder said Mr Mason would not be able to cope with a debate against Margaret Curran, the Labour candidate and claimed Mr Mason had wanted her "run out of" the constituency.

Ms Elder left the SNP in 2002, claiming she had been bullied by leading figures.

An SNP spokeswoman said: "Dorothy-Grace's views in general are out of step and her opinion of the SNP is well known.

"John Mason is a hugely respected councillor and a very popular candidate."