SNP ‘knew’ of expelled MSP’s alleged violent past

THE SNP is coming under increasing pressure following reports the party knew about Bill Walker’s allegedly violent past three years before he was elected to Holyrood.

Mr Walker has been expelled from the party but has said he will not stand down as an MSP. He denies being violent to three former wives.

According to reports, his brother-in-law, Rob Armstrong, a retired pilot, claimed he had contacted Nicola Sturgeon’s constituency office in 2008 with information about the politician.

The SNP acknowledged the meeting but said it had been with one of Sturgeon’s constituency workers and primarily concerned a matter of child welfare.

Scottish Labour health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, MSP, said: “It is astonishing that Nicola Sturgeon’s office knew about Bill Walker’s violent past but that he was allowed to be put forward for election.”

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Bill Walker was expelled on the basis that he did not disclose relevant information during the candidate process, but it now appears that some people were made aware.”

An SNP spokesman said: “As we have made clear, we cannot comment further until the [disciplinary] process is at an end.”