Scottish Conservative candidate Ivor Tiefenbrun quits

A Tory activist quit as a candidate for next year's Holyrood elections today after reportedly branding Scots as "thick" for disliking Margaret Thatcher.

Ivor Tiefenbrun, pictured, the founder of hi-fi company Lin Products, was due to stand as the Conservative Party candidate in the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn constituency in next May's election.

However the businessman stood down following a row over comments he was said to have made.

Scottish Tory Party chairman Andrew Fulton said Mr Tiefenbrun's decision had been taken in the "best interests of the party".

It came after The Scotsman revealed that Mr Tiefenbrun had branded Scots as 'thick', saying: "The way Labour work is that they have demonised Thatcher as if she was an evil force.

"It's only because Scots are so thick that this was swallowed."

A spokesman for the Scottish Tories yesterday denied Mr Tiefenbrun had made the comments, stating: "The candidate denies using these words and does not hold these views."

However today it was announced that the hi-fi boss had resigned as a Tory candidate.

Mr Tiefenbrun said: "There are many important issues facing our country and I have no desire for anything to divert my party - or indeed the media - from concentrating on those vital challenges.

"Accordingly, I will not be standing in the forthcoming Holyrood elections."

He added: "I wish my successor and our candidates across Scotland well in May."

Mr Fulton said: "I have spoken to Ivor and respect and understand his decision which has been taken in the best interests of the party."