OVER the last few weeks, The National uncovered stories of Conservative candidates with links to far-right and divisive organisations, those who have made "racist" remarks, and others accused of concerning behaviour.
As we add another controversial candidate to the list today – one who called to stop Syrian refugees coming to the UK altogether – we look back at the all the Tory hopefuls we have exposed in the run-up to the council election.
Paul Henke
The former Ukip Scottish chair will run for Douglas Ross's Scottish Tories at the elections in May. The SNP said the Conservatives’ decision to stand him showed that Boris Johnson’s party and Ukip were “indistinguishable”.
Tories stand former Ukip chair Paul Henke in Stirling council election
Jamie Robertson
Robertson also stood for Ukip at local elections. We revealed that he followed far-right social media accounts including Sargon of Akkad and 'DavidDukeRadioClips', which exclusively posts videos of the former KKK chief. He was later dropped as a candidate.
Tories drop Jamie Robertson after KKK video interest exposé
Calum McClean
The Tories selected the member and former “master” of the Orange Order to run in Irvine South. His selection was described as “concerning” by an SNP representative. He's no longer a candidate.
Scottish Tories selected former Orange ‘master’ Calum McClean for Irvine South
Bruce Whyte
The council hopeful faced calls to stand down over “racist” comments he made online - in which he questioned official stats about the number of people of Pakistani origin living in the diverse area of Pollokshields.
READ MORE: Tory Glasgow Langside candidate faces calls to stand down for ‘racist’ post
Stephen Paxton
This former teacher is standing in Glasgow’s Cardonald ward next month. He faced questions over his suitability to do so, being accused of “rampant misogyny” in a series of comments about Nicola Sturgeon and Kate Forbes. In one rant, posted to The National’s Facebook wall, he took aim at the Finance Secretary, referring to her as “this unqualified woman”. Paxton repeatedly referred to the First Minister as “the Boy-Queen Mrs Murrell” – in reference to her husband, Peter’s second name, which she did not take when the two married.
Glasgow Tory candidate slammed over Nicola Sturgeon rants
George Hall
This Tory council candidate admitted to making a revenge porn threat against his former girlfriend while he was a serving police officer. Hall was found not guilty of using the threat of releasing explicit photographs of Lynn Morrison as extortion after she allegedly falsely accused him of rape. The candidate, formerly a Constable with Grampian Police, admitted to detectives in 2006 he had made the threat – before the law was changed in 2017 to make threatening revenge porn a specific criminal offence. Despite criticism from women’s groups, a Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “George Hall was found not guilty in a court of law. We respect Scotland’s justice system and the decisions it makes.”
Aberdeenshire Council hopeful told police colleague he made ‘revenge porn’ threat
Claire Brown
Claire Brown called Nicola Sturgeon a “dictator” who has been “making up” Covid figures to justify strict restrictions and feed her desire for power. The Upper Braes, Falkirk, candidate also “liked” a series of posts claiming that spending money on signage in Gaelic is “an utter waste of money” and “cash squandered to make a differentness [sic] that doesn’t exist”.
Tory council candidate said Nicola Sturgeon was a ‘dictator’ who made up Covid figures
Judy Lockhart-Hunter
The North Berwick candidate launched a petition saying Syrian refugees should not be allowed into the UK. Lockhart-Hunter started the petition titled #WeHaveNoRoom”, and arguing refugees would be “far better placed going to another Islamic country where they can fit in easier”. The SNP accused her of showing “less compassion than Boris Johnson and Priti Patel”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel