Andy Doig, who is also the SNP’s Depute Leader on Renfrewshire Council, was selected by the SNP membership to re-contest the Renfrewshire South parliamentary seat at the Scottish Parliament elections in 2016.

The high profile local politician was only 2,577 votes away from defeating Labour’s Hugh Henry in 2011.

But claims are being made that he used insider information to canvas support from party members for weeks ahead of an internal selection contest in Renfrewshire South.

Our sister newspaper, the Sunday Herald, told how SNP members within Renfrewshire South have made complaints to SNP HQ regarding Doig’s alleged conduct.

It’s also understood that at least three of Doig’s rivals for the candidacy have also made complaints.

The row is particularly toxic for the SNP as it threatens to drag in the party’s rising star, Paisley MP Mhairi Black, as her Westminster seat overlaps Renfrewshire South.

However a defiant Cllr Doig denied the claims and said: “If any members have complaints or concerns they should raise them with HQ.

“I’d like to reiterate Harold Wilson’s quote, ‘I’m going on.’” When asked about allegations of cheating, he responded: “I deny these vigorously.” Before news of the allegations broke, Cllr Doig was backed on his win of 54 per cent of the vote by Paisley MP Mhairi Black.

She said: “Congratulations to Andy for his selection as the SNP candidate for Renfrewshire South in the forthcoming Scottish elections.

“Andy will be an excellent candidate for the SNP, and I have no doubt that he will be a superb representative for the constituency, as he has been as a Councillor, and I look forward to working with him on various local issues.”