THE deputy leader of the SNP group on Scotland's largest council has been suspended from the party after being reported to prosecutors over an incident during the referendum campaign.

Glasgow SNP councillor Billy ­McAllister, 60, has been charged with homophobic breach of the peace and has now been suspended from the SNP pending further investigations.

The alleged victim is the partner of former SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin, political activist Graham Campbell. The 47-year-old, who was involved in the Yes campaign and had been a member of Tommy Sheridan's Solidarity Party, has also been reported to the procurator-fiscal on allegations of assault.

A Glasgow SNP spokesman said: "Councillor McAllister has been suspended from the SNP group and as a member of the SNP until such times as due legal process has been completed."

The suspension follows allegations of an altercation in Glasgow's Maryhill Road on August 26.

It is understood Glasgow MSP Bob Doris was a witness to the incident and that Mr McAllister informed the police of the alleged assault more than 24 hours later.

Following a police interview with Mr Campbell some weeks later, Mr McAllister, who represents the Milton area to the north of the city, was also spoken to ahead of a report to the fiscal.

His suspension means that while he continues to be a councillor he may not attend SNP group meetings, share office space with party members or sit with them during council meetings.

A police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm a 47- year-old man was reported to the procurator-fiscal for an alleged assault and a 60-year-old man for an alleged homophobic breach of the peace."