ALEX Rowley was accused of “destroying the life” of his former lover.

The Fife politician, who has refuted the allegations, was even accused of stealing his ex’s underwear and leaving it in her office for colleagues to find.

Speaking to The Sun, the 49-year-old woman, who asked not to be named, said Rowley became “erratic and obsessive” early on in their relationship.

“He’d turn up to my house unannounced as soon as I arrived home. He knew where I’d been, who I’d been talking to.

“Once he visited acting all flustered and angry because I’d had a male tradesman round to do some work. I started to feel afraid — it was like he had eyes and ears on me.

“When I tried to cool things off, he would get emotional and weepy. I’d get sucked back in because I cared for him but then he’d go cold. It was like a yo-yo.”

The two first met when she was working as a journalist in 1997.

In 2010, the two started courting and their relationship became sexual.

She said: “I had been single for a long time and enjoyed the companionship. We had a lot in common but I honestly wish I’d never let him into my life. He was a ruthless bully, blowing hot one minute then cold the next. It was a control thing.”

By March 2011 she was forced to contact police over Rowley’s behaviour.

“He was a control freak and enough was enough. I got up from my work desk and drove straight to the police station.

“I didn’t name him at the time, I just wanted a record kept, I wanted whatever was happening to stop. Alex was extremely angry about me going to police but he continued to be in touch.

“I was pulled back in because we supposedly loved each other. But I was treading on egg shells. It felt like emotional blackmail and abuse. Eventually, I got fed up and our romantic relationship ended.”

Shortly after the split she started a new job as caseworker for the then Labour MP for Glenrothes Lindsay Roy.

Moving back into the heart of Fife Labour politics brought her back into contact with Rowley.

She claims her attempts to stand for the party at the 2012 Cowdenbeath by-election were quashed by party bosses.

The alleged victim told The Sun: “It was implied it was because I’d s*****d Alex. I thought, ‘Why is it me that has to stand down?’ It was unfair. I was sickened. This was when they were encouraging more women to get involved in politics.”

Even after they broke up he was sending the woman email and text rants.

In April 2013, he told her: “I will never contact you again ... you are a twisted using vile lier (sic) of a woman.”

She lodged a second complaint with police on November 30, 2014 in which she named Rowley.

And then on December 17, she was called by colleagues who’d found a black thong in an office .

She said: “I was affronted and mortified when I saw it was my underwear, which I can only imagine had somehow been removed from my laundry.”

Rowley said: “I totally refute these allegations and will take all steps necessary to clear my name.

These allegations must be properly and thoroughly investigated in line with our party’s procedures – and I will refer myself to the party so such an investigation can take place.”