A security chief for the pro-independence Hope Over Fear has left his post amid a row over his behaviour at a rally in Glasgow.
John Marshall, who was accused of behaving aggressively towards photographers, has gone “off radar” and will no longer provide his services to the group.
Hope Over Fear styles itself as an apolitical campaign group but it is widely seen as a front for the political rehabilitation of Tommy Sheridan, the former MSP who was jailed for perjury in 2011.
Marshall was described as the body’s “head of security” and helped steward events across the country.
However, his association with Hope Over Fear was controversial due to his criminal past.
He was fined £400 at Hamilton Sheriff Court in July after admitting to shouting, swearing and uttering a threat last year to No campaigners.
The court heard that that Marshall, from Holytown in Lanarkshire, had three previous convictions for breach of the peace.
He was also criticised for allegedly preventing photographers from entering a barricaded enclosure at Hope Over Fear’s September rally in Glasgow.
One photographer said Marshall was “aggressive” and “looking for a fight”.
Picture: Tommy Sheridan is a key figure at Hope Over Fear
A spokesman for Hope Over Fear said Marshall had gone “off radar” since the Glasgow event and would “definitely not” be doing security in the future.
“We have not had any contact with him since the last rally. I think he probably doesn’t want to answer questions about his conduct on the day of the rally,” he said.
Asked about his treatment of photographers, the spokesman said: “He wasn’t nice to them.”
Marshall could not be reached.
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