SNP election candidate makes ‘civil disobediance’ Facebook claim

AN SNP council election candidate has said on his Facebook page that he intends to start a “civil disobedience” group to push for Scottish independence, it emerged today.

Labour questioned whether Patrick Scott Hogg, a Nationalist candidate in Cumbernauld South, was a fit person to stand as a candidate following his bizarre posting on the social networking site.

In January this year, Mr Scott Hogg wrote: “Starting a civil disobedience group called Scottish Freedom to do protests over the next years to push for Independence and hoping you would add your strength o will and mind tae the campaign – facebook page up next week – a big gig on Glesca Green planned as weel for all the supporters who sing etc – Paddy. Best to send messages fae noo on.”

The posting has since been removed and the SNP pointed out that a Scottish Freedom campaign Facebook page had not been set up.

However, Labour expressed concern at Mr Hogg’s remarks.

Labour’s chief whip James Kelly said: “At the best, these revelations are bizarre bluster from the SNP – at the worst, they are a threat to commit disorder. How is he fit to be an SNP candidate when he wants to start civil disobedience campaigns?

“It shows up a hardcore who occupy key positions within the Nationalists who are obsessed with their own ambition – separating Scotland from the rest of the UK.

“How on earth are people in Scotland supposed to trust the SNP with creating jobs and providing affordable child-care when they are on Facebook ranting about ‘civil disobedience’ and ‘Scottish freedom’?”

An SNP spokesperson said: “It’s pretty desperate for Labour to cast up Facebook conversations from several months ago between family members that include throwaway comments which are clearly meaningless.

“Instead of offering a positive vision for North Lanarkshire they are reduced to personal attacks on their opponents, and voters will judge them on that come election day.”