A security chief for the pro-independence Hope Over Fear who has multiple criminal convictions has avoided disciplinary action from the SNP.
Nicola Sturgeon’s party has not expelled John Marshall, who was fined recently for threatening behaviour during the independence referendum, because his criminality took place before he was a member.
However, a picture has now emerged of Marshall holding what appears to be an air rifle, which one critic said is further proof the SNP made a mistake in continuing his party membership.
Hope Over Fear describes itself as an “apolitical” organisation, but it is widely seen as a front for the political rehabilitation of perjurer Tommy Sheridan.
The group’s unlicensed rallies in Glasgow’s George Square have been well-attended and are always tightly organised by stewards.
However, the events are boycotted by senior SNP figures who believe Sheridan is politically toxic.
Picture: Former MSP Tommy Sheridan
Marshall, who lives in Holytown in North Lanarkshire, is an SNP member and works for HOF as its head of security.
The Sunday Herald revealed that Marshall was fined £400 at Hamilton Sheriff Court in July after admitting to shouting, swearing and uttering a threat to political campaigners last year.
He pled guilty to breaching a section of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 and the court heard he had three previous convictions for breach of the peace.
Marshall was also accused of behaving aggressively towards the media at the Hope Over Fear rally in September.
The SNP investigated a complaint against Marshall after his latest conviction, but a party source said last week: “The complaint against him has been heard but not upheld, on the grounds that he wasn’t a member of the party at the time of the offence, and so he couldn’t be held responsible under the terms of the party’s code of conduct.”
Separately, it was revealed last year that a complaint had been made to Police Scotland after SNP councillor David Baird was photographed next to a man holding an air rifle during a party.
However, police officers did not establish any criminality.
Baird explained to a local newspaper at the time: “The party wasn’t in a pub – it was a converted shed that the owner has named the Jar and Barrel.
“The owner says it’s an old air rifle that’s been lying in his shed for years.”
The Sunday Herald can now reveal the individual holding what appears to be a weapon is Marshall.
A senior SNP insider said: “The party has made a mistake in not chucking him out. This picture confirms the mistake.”
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “It’s alarming to learn that John Marshall has been welcomed back into the SNP again, with open arms.
“He was recently convicted of threatening behaviour during the referendum campaign, which is obviously unacceptable behaviour.
“It’s surprising that the nationalists have chosen to go down this route and associate themselves with a known criminal.”
An SNP spokesman said: “We have always been clear that there is no place for threatening or abusive behaviour in politics.
“Mr Marshall is well aware of the expectations we place on members.
“Now that he has joined the SNP, he must abide by our code of conduct.”
Marshall could not be reached.
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