AREA MSP Kenneth Gibson has hit back at what he sees as an 'orchestrated attack' on his bid to be Cunninghame North SNP candidate.

A national newspaper article stated that SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - the husband of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - had been accused of ignoring bullying claims from women against Mr Gibson.

The article stated that two party officials had resigned in protest at his alleged behaviour, and are among 21 members, activists and councillors who have signed a letter of complaint detailing Mr Gibson's alleged 'aggressive and abrasive' bullying 'especially of women'.

All six officer bearers wrote to Mr Murrell, compliance officer Ian McCann and national secretary Angus McLeod but there was no acknowledgement to the correspondence.

People inside the SNP have now called for Mr Gibson's suspension from the Cunninghame North selection contest until the matters are addressed.

Mr Gibson today called it an 'attempt to subvert the Cunninghame North re-selection process'.

He told the News: “It is desperately sad that some members have chosen to try and subvert the process by trying to discredit me publicly in a newspaper.

“I am amazed that a campaign of malice like this, apparently long in preparation, has been launched.

“In contrast, I am also very humbled and comforted to hear from so many others, in the constituency, at Holyrood and from across the SNP, how appalled they are at this vicious and mendacious smear campaign unworthy of SNP members; or anyone else, frankly.

“I’m no angel but any actions that may have offended are done in the passion of the moment and not calculated, whereas the actions by this group are deliberate, vicious and spiteful. How these individuals feel such a desperate tactic aids the SNP or the cause of independence is anyone’s guess?

“I believe this has been orchestrated by an individual who has never reconciled himself to being defeated by Patricia Gibson in the February 2015 Westminster selection. Other malcontents include a defeated candidate from my own 2006 selection.

“Blaming chief executive Peter Murrell - who has nothing to do with such matters - makes one wonder if these members have any idea how the SNP works, or if they have a wider political agenda.

“Any accusations against a member should first be raised with the individual concerned, his/her branch, the Constituency Association and only then HQ. In the 16 months that have transpired, that did not happen. They chose to go to a paper instead. Sadly, I anticipate that other underhand and sneaky tactics will be used during the selection process.”

The SNP added: "The Members Code of Conduct operates on the basis of evidence, not rhetoric. This has been made clear to local office bearers.

"Local members will get to express their views in a selection contest shortly.”

MP Patricia Gibson, who is married to Mr Gibson, said: "It is with great sadness and disappointment I see these most malicious and vexatious allegations. Those responsible are undoubtedly the toast of those who oppose the SNP in this constituency and beyond.

"Firstly SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell has nothing to do with matters relating to Cunninghame North and bringing in his name sparks concerns about a wider agenda.

"The allegations made cannot go unchallenged as they are simply untrue. Entirely concocted, they have been long in the planning, their roots being in my securing the SNP candidacy for North Ayrshire & Arran in 2015.

"Kenneth has won the support and respect of the vast majority of SNP members across the constituency of Cunninghame North and is held in high regard by constituents across the political spectrum."