SNP EU election candidate Christian Allard will today issue a call to EU nationals living in Scotland to send the PM a message at the polls.

Allard, a former MSP and current Aberdeen councillor, is a French citizen who raised his family in the North East where he worked in the fishing industry.

Speaking in Inverurie, Allard will say that freedom of movement is “essential” to Scotland’s public services and a prosperous future for the country.

“For three years Theresa May has tried to make Brexit about one thing – ending freedom of movement,” he is expected to say.

In European elections, voters can either vote in their country of citizenship or their country of residence.

“EU nationals have been used as a bargaining chip and have faced fees to apply to stay in their home. EU nationals should use this election to send Theresa May a message:.

“Try running our NHS without nurses and doctors from the EU. Try running our world-class universities without researchers and staff from Europe.

“Try running our fruit farms or our fish processors without us.”

Allard will conclude that “Scotland’s future lies in Europe,” and that a “vote for the SNP is a vote to make clear Scotland says No to Brexit.”