An SNP councillor who was recommended as an MP by two cabinet secretaries has missed out on a general election candidacy after failing the party's internal vetting process.
Dr Imtiaz Majid had been included in the ballot for the SNP's candidate selection in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill.
However, despite the support of cabinet heavyweights Alex Neil and Keith Brown, he subsequently failed vetting and his votes were redistributed to other candidates.
The selection was won by Phil Boswell, an SNP activist from West Aberdeenshire, who narrowly beat Coatbridge councillor Julie McAnulty.
The result was released yesterday after more than a week's delay, which SNP insiders put down to confusion over Dr Majid's status.
It is understood he was initially approved as a potential candidate, but party headquarters then withdrew their approval last week. The reason for the U-turn in unclear.
However Dr Majid, a wealthy property developer known locally as Jimmy, had been the subject of recent tabloid coverage over his long-running and acrimonious divorce.
In a message posted on the SNP's Facebook page for the seat yesterday, Dr Majid wrote: "Thank you to everyone who overwhelmingly supported and voted for me, but unfortunately I was unsuccessful in the vetting process this time.
"I congratulate Phil Boswell who is the SNP candidate for Coatbridge Chryston & Bellshill."
A councillor for Coatbridge South in North Lanarkshire since 2012, Dr Majid, 49, received endorsements from the highest levels of the SNP.
Mr Neil, the Airdrie & Shotts MSP and cabinet secretary for social justice, said he would be "an excellent asset for the SNP in Westminster", while Mr Brown, the infrastructure secretary, said he was "passionate about independence and would work tirelessly for his constituency".
Dr Majid's selection leaflet to party members also included pictures of him posing with Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.
His exclusion from the Coatbridge & Chryston ballot is the latest problem for the SNP in North Lanarkshire.
Earlier this week, councillors Alan Beveridge and John Taggart resigned from the party amid accusations of bullying and intimidation.
Cllr Beveridge, a former policeman in a ward covered by Mr Neil's Airdrie & Shotts branch, said he had been alarmed "by the climate of fear, intimidation and false allegations which operates within the SNP locally", and said SNP headquarters had "totally failed to address any of my concerns".
Mr Taggart stepped down after failing to be selected as the general election candidate for Motherwell and Wishaw.
An SNP spokesperson said: "Cllr Majid's assessment process was concluded prior to the count stage. He was not added to the approved candidate register, and was therefore unavailable for selection. He could therefore not be included in the count."
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