Nicola is welcome to come & campaign

Loudon believes Nats can expose Labour on costoHliving crisis and retain seat

- PAUL HUTCHEON

THE SNP candidate in the crunch Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election has said Nicola Sturgeon would be "very welcome" on the doorsteps.

Katy Loudon claimed the former first minister is still popular despite her arrest during a police probe into SNP finances.

The 43-year-old South Lanarkshire councillor also indicated support for higher council tax on more expensive properties.

Loudon, a former primary school teacher, is up against Labour's Michael Shanks in the Westminster contest to replace the disgraced Margaret Ferrier.

In an interview with the Record's Planet Holyrood podcast, she admitted it had been a "difficult few months" for the SNP over Ferrier and the police investigation into party finances.

Sturgeon, who was released without charge, lives close to the constituency but has not been out campaigning yet.

Asked if she would like to see Sturgeon on the doors she said: "If police probe, adding: "I don't know anymore about the investigation than anyone else. It's a police investigation. It's ongoing.