AN SNP MSP has been accused of the “despicable” behaviour towards the broadcaster Sarah Smith after he suggested the abuse she received in her job was “imaginary”.

James Dornan made the comment on Twitter after the former Scotland editor of the BBC revealed her “relief” at moving overseas after covering Scottish politics.

Ms Smith, who was appointed the corporation’s North America editor last year, said she was subjected to hostility “most of the time” when preparing to go live on TV.

She said she had attracted “criticism, bile and hatred” from some sections of the Scottish population which she feared would damage the reputation of the BBC.

In one incident, she said someone rolled down their car window and asked her: “What f****** lies are you going to be telling on TV tonight, you f****** lying bitch?”

Although she did not blame any one group in particualr, pro-independence supporters have frequently accused the BBC of pro-Union bias and protested at its Glasgow HQ. 

In response to the comments, Mr Dornan tweeted sarcastically: “America would be the go to place to escape all her imaginary woes then.” 

The Herald:

The Glasgow Cathcart MSP later tried to step back from the remark, but still claimed Ms Smith had been over-stating what had happened to her.

He tweeted: “Imaginary was the wrong word to use, should have been ‘exaggerated’.

“Any abuse she suffered is too much but if Sarah Smith is saying that politics over here is more vicious than in the US she hasn’t been paying enough attention to what has been going on over there, nor rest of UK.”

He then belatedly apologised, writing: "Language is important in this so I apologise for my earlier comments that made it seem as though I believed the abuse Sarah Smith has suffered was imaginary. 

"No matter differing opinions, the misogynistic abuse of women in the public eye is never acceptable.

If we want to tackle the issue then we all need to recognise the problem is on all sides and all countries."

The former SNP MP Phil Boswell attacked Ms Smith as a biased "traitor" and a "cap doffer" today after her comments.

The Herald:

In stark contrast, SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC agreed with Ms Smith that were was a toxic side to Scottish politics.

She tweeted: “I know this won’t make me popular with some but there is undoubtedly a culture of bile, hatred & misogyny in Scottish politics. Across the board & it’s at its height when women speak up for their rights. It needs called out & tackled.”

Responding to Mr Dornan’s comments, Glasgow Tory MSP Annie Wells said: “This is the sort of crass and hugely insulting comment we’ve come to expect from James Dornan. 

“It is appalling that he should have reacted in such a dismissive way to the abuse Sarah Smith has endured.

“He ought to be condemning all those who spread hate online – in particular extremist nationalists, who are responsible for much of it – rather than effectively giving them the green light to continue.

“He should apologise for these wildly out-of-touch remarks immediately.”

READ MORE: Sarah Smith 'relieved' to leave 'bile' of Scottish politics for BBC America job

Scottish Labour deputy Jackie Baillie said: “This is a despicable intervention from a male politician who clearly believes that he understands the experiences women face better than they do.

“Sarah Smith was incredibly brave to explain the hate and abuse she has faced – responses such as those of Mr Dornan only show that she was right.

“We will only end the current climate of abuse and intimidation of journalists and women in public life if politicians such as Mr Dornan reflect on their words.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "I was saddened but unsurprised to see that after Sarah spoke out she received another wave of nationalist abuse.

"If Nicola Sturgeon and Angus Robertson are serious about their commitment to public service broadcasting perhaps they should condemn this behaviour and agree to stop fanning anti-BBC sentiment within their movement."

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, added: “Just when you think Dornan couldn’t sink any lower, he accuses a woman who has faced horrific abuse of ‘imaginary woes’.

“His position as an elected nationalist MSP gives a green light to other nationalists to continue spreading their hatred.

“I imagine Nicola Sturgeon will be privately furious at the behaviour of her MSP, but she can demonstrate she takes this seriously by disciplining Dornan.”

Ms Smith later appeared to have her own dig at Mr Dornan, tweeting a picture of herself on a plane to Miami, saying she was leaving her "woes" behind her.