THE SNP's candidate for a crucial by-election has hit back after Scottish Labour's candidate claimed she needed a "high-vis" to be seen in the constituency.
Davy Russell, who has repeatedly dodged local hustings, an upcoming STV debate, radio interviews and the media, insisted his profile was already "very high".
The Scottish Labour candidate did not show up at a hustings event on Tuesday, with the party sending South Lanarkshire Council leader Joe Fagan in his place.
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The move led Tory candidate Richard Nelson to walk out, saying it was not "fair that the leader of the council comes on his {Russell's] behalf".
Speaking to journalists in the constituency on Wednesday, Russell was asked whether he wished he had a higher profile campaign.
"It is very high. If you actually go chap the doors, speak to people, they don't see the SNP, they don't see Reform. They only see them in adverts," he said.
"Katy Loudon has the hi-vis jackets and that to walk down the street. I don't. I can walk down the street the same as we are just now and people recognise me.
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"I am a well-known figure in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. I'm not well-known on TV but I'm well known on the ground."
She said: "The people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse can judge for themselves who is best suited to represent them in Holyrood.
"I've been out on doors, speaking to people across this constituency about what's affecting them – the cost of living, Labour's Winter Fuel Payment cut and Starmer's £5 billion cut to disability support.
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"It's very disappointing – and incredibly telling – that even Labour's candidate in this by-election is running scared and won't defend their dismal record.
"Only the SNP is listening and speaking directly to the people of this constituency, and we are the only party that is on your side in this by-election."
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