One of the SNP's noisiest campaigners says he has quit the party because it won't let him heckle opponents.

Piers Doughty-Brown, a veteran of several political movements and a passionate anti-austerity activist, hit the headlines briefly last year when he harangued then Labour leader Jim Murphy.

Mr Doughty-Brown and another SNP member were suspended after the incident, which Mr Murphy referred to as "anti-democratic street nationalism".

 

 

The Herald:

Picture: Jim Murphy and campaigner Sean Clerkin

He had also videoed Labour candidate Margaret Curran on the doorstep as she campaigned in Glasgow East.

The activist, after being shelved by the party for six months, has now let his membership lapses because the party takes a dim view of such "direct action."

Mr Doughty-Brown, who is medically retired, set out his reasons in a blog.

He said: "I feel that if direct actions on issues like anti austerity; and challenging politicians on the veracity of their claims, as we did with Margaret Curran, Jim Murphy et al, is perceived as bringing a political party into disrepute, then my wings are in effect clipped."

Mr Doughty-Brown staunchly defended his actions, which led to front-page pictures in newspapers and featured on UK-wide television news bulletins.

The Englishman, along with serial protestor Sean Clerkin, pictured above with Mr Murphy, was one of a handful to repeatedly confront the Labour MP on the campaign trail.

The former Labour leader had himself pioneered robust street politics during the independence referendum, frequently getting in to shouting matches with nationalists.

Mr Doughty-Brown in his blog argued that the party should allow him to conduct megaphone debates with politicians like Mr Murphy.The Herald: Trident, unions and austerity on agenda at SNP conference

He said: "Taking a megaphone to challenge a man in public, who is shouting messages to a crowd of on lookers (and paid?) supporters, is not bringing anyone into disrepute.

"Jim Murphy was challenged at most of his pre-referendum rallies. I don’t know of any of his hecklers being criticised.

"We did just the same thing leading up to the General Election, all-be-it on a more organised scale.

"A party that complains that it’s been heckled, as did Labour in reference to me and my comrades heckling them, displays a pitiful weakness."

After the most high-profile incident, when Labour supporters were jostled and angry scenes captured on camera, Mr Murphy said: "This sort of aggressive nationalism should have no place in our election."

He added: "This isn't the type of Scotland we want, Scotland, the Labour Party and the people of Scotland are much better than this sort of aggressive nationalism."

Protestors said later they were reflecting "community" anger over Labour, which suffered the worst defeat in the party's history days later.

Mr Doughty-Brown said he still supported the aspirations of the SNP.