‘SNP OUT” attacks on two offices held by women politicians may be linked, police say.
The slogan was spray-painted on premises used by Scottish Government minister Aileen Campbell and general election candidate Marion Fellows.
Just nine miles apart – 20 minutes by car – the sites were targeted in overnight attacks just two weeks before the December 12 vote.
While Fellows’ Motherwell campaign hub was protected with shutters, a window at Campbell’s constituency base in Carluke was smashed through, leaving shattered glass in the interior.
Yesterday rival politicians urged calm and condemned the incidents as police appealed for information.
Meanwhile, both women vowed not to be intimidated.
Fellows, who is standing for reelection in Motherwell and Wishaw, said the ground floor buildings appeared to have been hit in a “coordinated attack”.
Yesterday police told The National it was too early to know, but that they are “keeping an open mind”.
In a statement, Fellows said: “I am appalled and saddened by an attack on my campaign office last night, that has since been reported to the police.
“Our campaign to win Motherwell & Wishaw for the SNP, and the incredible effort of our local activists, will not be halted by this mindless act of vandalism.
“I’d urge anyone with information to contact the police so we can find those responsible.”
Damage at her Merry Street campaign hub was reported to police at around 10am yesterday and is believed to have happened overnight.
The former trade unionist had marked the opening of the election base just ten days earlier. Angela Feeney, who is contesting the seat for Labour, said she was “disgusted” by the “unacceptable” vandalism, stating: “This election is about debate, not hate.”
Meanwhile, the assault on Campbell’s South Lanarkshire office happened some time between 9pm on Tuesday and 8am yesterday morning, when police were called.
Campbell, Scotland’s Communities and Local Government Secretary, said her staff and those in neighbouring properties had been “upset” by the incident.
Glasgow Labour MSP Pauline McNeill called the situation “shocking” and Conservative MSP Miles Briggs said there is “no place for this in our politics”.
Tory councillor Gail McGregor, of Dumfries and Galloway Council, reached out to the Clydesdale MSP on Twitter, telling her: “Really sorry to see this Aileen, there’s no place for this mindless and nasty behaviour, horrid for both you and your staff.”
And former political journalist Cameron Brooks, who now works in public relations, shared his personal connection with the former bank building, saying: “My great grandfather would be very unimpressed that his former house has been vandalised by a complete and utter knob.”
In a Facebook post, Campbell wrote: “People can disagree about politics, but there is no excuse for mindless aggression, vandalism or violence which causes stress and anxiety in our local communities.
“We should strive for a better politics that respects and seeks to understand other points of view and, thankfully, that is how most people conduct themselves.
“We won’t be dragged down by the mindless act of a minority. We’ll clean this up and my service to my constituents will not be affected and the office remains open. I won’t be swayed from the priority of working hard for Clydesdale and achieving a better, fairer Scotland.”
Appealing for help from the public, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: Officers in Motherwell received a report of vandalism at a constituency hub in Merry Street, around 10.10am on Wednesday, 27 November, 2019.
“The incident is believed to have happened at some point between 6pm on Tuesday, 26 November, 2019 and 10am on Wednesday, 27 November, 2019.
“We are also aware of vandalism to a constituency office in Carluke which happened around the same time. These are not currently being treated as linked but we are keeping an open mind.
“Enquiries into both incidents are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact police on 101.”
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