AN SNP worker who admitted posting homophobic abuse about one of the party's members online has been fined £400.

Kirsten Felvus, 40, who works for MSP Richard Lyle, used Facebook to make anti-gay remarks about John Marshall and accused him of having sex with former MSP Tommy Sheridan.

2 Kirsten Felvus made the offensive remarks on Facebook

Mr Marshall, 43, who runs a social media page in support of independence, was seriously ill in hospital at the time the comments were posted after having life-saving bowel surgery.

She wrote that he was in hospital for “something to do with his a***' after attending 'Tommy's parties'.”

Mr Marshall reported the comments to police after recovering from his surgery and Felvus dismissed them as “banter” when questioned by police officers.

Felvus, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted a charge of posting offensive and homophobic remarks on Facebook in March last year.

The court heard the comments were posted on a Facebook page run by Mr Marshall and fellow SNP member Darren Reilly in a response to a post criticising Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Mr Lyle.

Fiscal depute Lisa Lann said: "Miss Felvus became involved and there was offensive language on both sides but after discussing Mr Marshall being in hospital she wrote ‘something to do with his a***. Probably still sore after Tommy shafted it’.

2 Felvus worked for MSP Richard Lyle Credit: Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow

"It is accepted by all parties that was a reference to Tommy Sheridan who Mr Marshall had an association with. I am not suggesting that was a sexual association.

"She also made other remarks about 'Tommy's parties and that's how Marshall ended up in the hozzy.'

"The page has more than 2,000 followers so many people saw these.

"When she was questioned she said she thought that this was vindictive and it had been reported because she had started working for Mr Lyle.

"She said it was banter and clearly meant as a joke."

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Felvus' solicitor Vincent McGovern said she wrote the posts after she had been drinking as her marriage had broken down the week before.

He said: "She believed Mr Marshall to be a member of Solidarity who was seeking to access the SNP and there were political differences between them.

"Whilst her choice of language was clearly offensive, equally she was the recipient of offensive language.

"Miss Felvus is deeply embarrassed that she made these comments. She didn't know Mr Marshall was as ill as he was.

"She had a loss of judgement and proper control. She is not homophobic although the comments are."

Fining Felvus, a mum-of-three, Sheriff McKay told her: "This language and this type of remark is utterly unacceptable in today's society."

Speaking outside court, Mr Marshall said: "I was absolutely disgusted when I saw the comments.

"I was in hospital and nearly died while she was posting these things so it wasn't something I was willing to just laugh off.

"I hope she loses her position in the SNP as a result of this. She is a vile woman.

"I am a passionate SNP supporter but I have not been able to attend local meetings because she is there."

Felvus has worked as a part time assistant for Mr Lyle since November last year. She did not work for him at the time of the offence but was an active member of the local SNP branch.

Mr Lyle, who won his seat from Labour's Michael McMahon in May 2016, was previously an SNP regional list MSP for Central Scotland.

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