A HIGH-PROFILE SNP councillor has quit the party after comparing Scotland's relationship with the UK to slavery.
Dave Berry, a former leader of East Lothian Council, resigned after tweeting the comments which provoked an angry response.
Mr Berry responded to a tweet last week from the pro-UK Better Together campaign promoting leaflets quoting voters on why they believed Scotland should remain part of Britain.
He wrote: "Do you have equivalent quotes from abused women saying why they don't need a divorce or slaves happy on the plantation?"
The comment was among a series of outspoken messages.
Mr Berry withdrew his remarks and apologised after they drew a furious backlash. But SNP leader Alex Salmond faced calls to dismiss him.
An SNP spokesman said: "This was a personal decision by Cllr Berry – he withdrew his comments last week and apologised, and the SNP regarded the matter as closed.We thank him for his contribution to the party and wish him well."
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "The saga exposes the ugly side of nationalism."
Mr Berry came within 151 votes of unseating then-Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray when he stood for Holyrood in 2011.
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