A SCOTTISH Tory group has been forced to explain itself after publishing a video attacking an SNP councillor which included "what sounds like gunshots".

Glasgow City Council’s SNP group accused their Conservative counterparts of reaching a “new low” after the video, aimed at council leader Susan Aitken, was put online.

The publication of the video came as part of a concerted effort on the Tory group’s part to remove Aitken from her role at the head of the council.

On Thursday, Conservative councillors tried to attach a no-confidence vote onto another item of business being heard in Glasgow’s City Chambers, but Lord Provost Philip Braat said he would not accept such a change to the motion.

READ MORE: Tories fail in bid to unseat SNP council chief over 'filthy' city claims

The attempt came after Aitken told STV that Glasgow needed a “spruce up”, but declined to accept that the city was “filthy”.

The Tory group posted a video onto their Twitter account attacking the SNP council leader.

They wrote: “While Glasgow has Susan Aitken in charge, one thing has became [sic] very clear, we can wave goodbye to solving the cleansing crisis.

“The city needs more than a ‘spruce up’ and it's time for real leadership to clean up the SNPs [sic] mess. #CleanUpGlasgow”

Responding to the video, the Glasgow City Council SNP group wrote: “Using what sounds like gunshot sound effects in an attack video on a female politician is a new low for Glasgow Tories.”

Glasgow Provan’s SNP group said the video was “absolutely disgusting”, while councillor Rhiannon Spear commented: "A tweet singing 'wave goodbye' as gunshots ring out aimed at Susan Aitkin is absolutely abhorrent.

"It is absolutely inconceivable to me that anyone would think this is appropriate in political discourse.

"I am disgusted at this extremely dangerous rhetoric."

SNP councillor Mhairi Hunter wrote on Twitter: “Glasgow Tories absolutely disgraced themselves today, both in Full Council and by launching a video attacking Susan Aitken complete with sounds of gunshots.

“This is not normal politics and we shouldn't accept it.”

Glasgow council treasurer Richard Bell added: “It is inconceivable that an adult with the faintest awareness of consequences of overheated rhetoric on politicians didn’t know what they were doing inserting gunshot sounds. This is disgraceful behaviour.”

The Tories responded by saying that the sound in the video was “smashing glass”.

Tory councillor Thomas Kerr wrote on Twitter: “The sound is smashing glass and video that was used in 2015 by the official Conservative Party.

“Any idea that I would endanger any elected member or condone behaviour, when I myself have faced threats, is completely untrue.”

He then shared the “original video”, a similar attack piece aimed at former UK Labour leader Ed Miliband (below).

Spear responded to Kerr: “Absolutely awful response Thomas. Many clearly calling out how unbelievably inappropriate this is. Your excuses are evident of how much you don't care.

“Delete and apologize for this dangerous rhetoric.”