PERTH and Kinross Council has instructed local Tories to remove campaign materials promoting MSP candidate Murdo Fraser from road signs and private property.
A Tory spokesperson said signs were put up by an “over-enthusiastic” Abernyte resident and have now been taken down, following complaints from locals.
SNP councillor Tom McEwan said the placement of campaign materials could have been “dangerous” and called on Tories to apologise.
“It is very well known in Perth and Kinross that the council’s street furniture should not be used for campaign signage,” he said.
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“Restricting the views of pedestrians and motorists is very dangerous and these rules are for the safety of everyone.
“The Conservative Party and Murdo Fraser are experienced campaigners and should know better than this.
“I expect an apology to the residents of Perth and Kinross for this breach of these well-understood election rules.”
An SNP spokesperson described the incident as “utterly embarrassing” for Fraser. “The Tory campaign is just going from bad to worse,” they added.
The council said it was aware of the poster on the Abernyte road sign. “We have contacted the local Conservative election agent and asked that the signs are removed as soon as possible,” they told The Courier.
“If they are not removed, we will make arrangements for their removal and recharge the costs involved to the local Conservative group.”
A Perth and Kinross Tory spokesperson commented: “This was done by an over enthusiastic member of the Abernyte community who was unaware of the rules. As soon as it was brought to our attention the signs were removed and we have reminded all our supporters of the rules.
“We understand the desire of our supporters to bring the litany of SNP failures to the attention of their communities, but everyone has to act within the rules.”
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The incident comes after another bad week for the party, with polls still showing poor approval ratings of leader Douglas Ross and projecting seat losses at the upcoming election.
The latest Panelbase survey put the Scottish Tories on track to win 26 seats, remaining in second place with a loss of four MSPs.
Last week’s Savanta ComRes poll predicted a loss of five MSPs, on track to return 25 MSPs.
Fraser is running in the Perthshire North constituency against John Swinney, and on the Mid Scotland and Fife regional list.
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