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An SNP MSP has sparked fury – and been branded a misogynist – after mocking former Scottish Conservative MP Ruth Davidson over her weight.

Gil Paterson, 71 – who is the SNP MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie – has been slammed by fellow MPs and from members of the public on Twitter after hitting out at the recent new mother, 41.

He caused anger when he shared a doctored image of comedians Laurel and Hardy which mocked Davidson and new Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross.

The image was re-tweeted by the SNP MSP then subsequently un-re-tweeted following a backlash, but the image still appears under his "liked" tweets.

Paterson’s comments come after Davidson – who welcomed her first child, a son named Finn, in 2018 – revealed she has lost two stone during the lockdown.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Donald Cameron was among those to slam Paterson.

He told The Sun: "For an SNP MSP to associate themselves with such bile is troubling, but entirely in keeping with how many nationalists conduct themselves online.

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"Senior party figures must disown any association with accounts peddling such abhorrent views.

"And the standard of political debate in Scotland needs to improve, starting with Gil Paterson.

"He should know better than to promote such vile messages, which are little more than bullying."

Many on Twitter also slammed Mr Paterson.

One Twitter user branded the MSP’s actions as "disgusting" and added: "Misogyny is alive and well within the SNP."

Another blasted: "More and more I find SNP MSPs & MPs guilty of snide, sneering and downright vile remarks which are then taken up by their followers. I say again resorting to this is a sign of weak argument or intellect."

While another commented: "Pretty classless lot these gormless, rude, arrogant SNP members. Sums up the whole nationalist narrative actually."

Paterson apologised in a statement to The Sun, stating: "If it has offended Ruth Davidson or anyone else, I 100% apologise.

"There was no intention and if it was taken out of context I nevertheless apologise. I am sorry, there was no intention to offend."

• Twitter
• Scotland
• Conservative Party

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