SNP councillor accused of ‘gay slurs’ towards colleague

An SNP councillor may be expelled from his party after claims he made homophobic remarks to a colleague.

Alan O’Brien, a member of the Nationalist opposition in North Lanarkshire, has been the subject of a number of complaints.

One allegation is that he called SNP colleague Paul Delaney as a “poof” for wearing a sleeveless T-shirt.

It is also claimed that he called Mr Delaney, who is straight, “poofy” for having tattoos.

According to the Herald, there have been five complaints about Mr O’Brien, including accusations that he undermined Dick Lyle, head of the SNP in North Lanarkshire.

The councillor, who represents Cumbernauld, is now the subject of a party investigation.

He told the Herald: “I deny making these comments to Mr Delaney and utterly abhor homophobia.”

The SNP did not comment.