SNP councillor probed over '˜anti-Islamic texts'

SNP councillor Craig Melville has been suspended. Picture: SNP

AN SNP councillor is facing investigation amid claims he sent anti-Islamic texts to a Muslim colleague.

Craig Melville, who serves as Dundee Council’s environment convener, has been suspended by party headquarters in Edinburgh.

Melville is alleged to have sent a number of texts to an unnamed woman within the party, a day after the Paris terror attacks.

One text allegedly read: “It’s not personal I just f****** hate your religion and I’ll do all in I’m life do defeat your filth.” (sic)

Another said: “And in your favour we live in an uneducated left lift loopy left wing society who is more interested in claiming benefits and being ignorant to the threat of your horrible disease.

“Horrible murdering Islamic c***s.”

Another message apparently referred to the SNP’s international development minister, Humza Yousaf, who visited the Greek island of Lesbos to see the plight of Syrian refugees.

It said: “And Muslim politicians in the UK have a duty to speak out and educate. That should be their number one priority, not staged photos taking refugees off boats and writing patronising messages of support.”

A party spokesman confirmed Melville has been suspended and said: “The SNP condemns Islamophobia in the strongest possible terms.”