SENIOR ADVISOR DESCRIBES ELDERLY AS 'COFFIN DODGERS'

SNP CHALLENGES LABOUR ON CANDIDATE'S INTERNET RANTS

SENIOR ADVISOR DESCRIBES ELDERLY AS 'COFFIN DODGERS'

PICTURED CAMPAIGNING WITH PRIME MINISTER'S WIFE

Commenting on the revelations in the Sun today about Labour’s candidate for Moray, Stuart MacLennan - an advisor to the Labour party's MSPs and Secretary of Young Scottish Labour - who posted a litany of profanity and abuse on his Twitter page including insults about the elderly, the people of the Highlands and the local whisky industry, Westminster SNP Leader and Moray MP Angus Robertson challenged Labour on the future of his candidacy.

Stuart MacLennan, who is the Labour Candidate for Moray, launched vitriolic personal attacks on political colleagues and rivals as well as insulting pensioners as 'coffin dodgers' and potential constituents as 'teuchters'.

In his online outbursts on social networking site Twitter Mr MacLennan - who has been pictured campaigning with the Prime Minister's wife - also attacked the whisky industry, which is the key local industry in Moray as well as undermining beneficial local transport projects.

Commenting Mr Robertson said:

"I do not understand why such a senior Labour Party advisor has attacked pensioners, potential constituents and insulted political colleagues and foes alike.

"It is totally unacceptable for Labour to describe or even think of senior citizens as 'coffin dodgers'.

"Stuart MacLennan is an adviser to the Labour Shadow Cabinet and Secretary of Young Scottish Labour. Labour needs to take decisive action to distance itself completely from these vile outbursts and opinions.

"I find it mind boggling why any aspiring politician would insult his potential constituents as 'teuchters', attack the key local whisky industry and undermine improvements to the local infrastructure.

"Scotland and Moray needs champions not Labour politicians who attack pensioners, constituents and key industries.

“Labour must now make clear if they still consider Mr MacLennan fit to be one of their candidates, a senior party official and an aide to their shadow cabinet. If not there will be real questions over Labour's judgment about their choice of candidates.”