There have been claims of bullying and harassment.. we wrote to HQ but have heard nothing. There is widespread disbelief he's been passed as fit to stand for an election

Officials say SNP chief ignored their complaints

- John Ferguson

SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been accused of ignoring bullying claims from women against an MSP.

Two-party officials in Kenny Gibson’s Cunninghame North constituency have resigned in protest at his alleged behaviour.

They are among 21 members, activists and councillors who also signed a letter of complaint sent to Murrell – who is married to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – in June 2019 detailing Gibson’s “aggressive and abrasive” bullying, “especially of women”.

But they say follow-up emails, phone calls and letters to the party’s HQ detailing a string of incidents have all been ignored and no investigation has been carried out.

The serious allegations will heap pressure on Murrell and Sturgeon, who are facing heavy criticism over their handling of complaints against former first minister Alex Salmond.

The Sunday Mail has spoken to three women who didn’t want to be named but confirmed they had supplied details of their experiences with Gibson. They include alleged incidents of aggressive shouting and throwing papers in meetings.

But they say Murrell failed to intervene despite numerous attempts at opening a dialogue with him and the party hierarchy.

It has also been claimed Gibson broke Holyrood rules by using parliamentary staff for electioneering in his constituency, which covers Ayrshire and Arran.

Cunninghame North constituency organizer Dr Malcolm Kerr said: “Complaints have included allegations of bullying, harassment, especially of women, and abuses of parliamentary expenses rules.

“Constituency officers have attempted over a long period to address these issues internally and to avoid adverse publicity.