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A former MP has been blasted for using the word “raped” in an outburst against the Finance Secretary’s budget for Scottish councils.

In a post made on Facebook on Thursday afternoon, Labour Councillor Jim Sheridan accused Renfrewshire North and West MSP Derek Mackay of being “deceitful”.

He then added: “Having raped Scottish councils of cash he now cynically suggests councils can raise their own funds, and of course suffer the political consequences? CHARLATAN.”

The terminology used by the Renfrewshire elected member - whose ward is Houston, Crosslee and Linwood - has been slammed by Gavin Newlands MP as “disgusting”.

Mr Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has called for Mr Sheridan to resign.

He said: “Councillor Jim Sheridan’s latest outburst is, quite frankly, disgusting and beneath contempt.

“It is an inexcusable statement from anyone, let alone an elected local representative and former MP.

“Councillor Sheridan is entitled to his own views on local government finance but to reference rape in describing a council budget is callous and degrading.

“This language is diminishing of the suffering of survivors and victims of gender-based violence and is indefensible.

“If Jim Sheridan had any decency he would resign as a councillor.”

Earlier today, Councillor Sheridan said his use of the word rape was not made “in the sexual context”.

He said: “It was done in the context of the definition of rape on Google.

“It says ‘to plunder and strip resources’ and I would argue that is exactly what has been happening to local authorities - some of whom are on the brink of collapse.

“It wasn’t said in the sexual context. I know the sensitivities surrounding rape in the sexual context.

“That’s the definition I would use, ‘to plunder and strip resources’.

(Image: Paisley Daily Express)

“I would imagine some people may have a different opinion from me but I just say it as I see it.

“The reason is because I see people suffering on a daily basis from the effect of austerity and the Scottish Government."

Councillor Sheridan was reinstated to the Labour Party at the end of January after a suspension for comments made online last August.

The veteran politician had posted on Facebook: “For all my adult life I have had the utmost respect and empathy for the Jewish community and their historic suffering.

“No longer due to what they and their Blairite plotters are doing to my party and the long-suffering people of Britain who need a radical Labour government.”

Councillor Sheridan said he hadn’t removed his latest post, which has caused another storm.

He added: “I can understand that people would draw the wrong conclusion, if it was in the context of sexual rape, but that’s not the context it was meant.”

A source from within the Labour Party said: “If you’re just back from a suspension because of social media indiscretion, you maybe want to think about what you post.”

Derek Mackay MSP’s office said the Finance Secretary would not be responding to the comments made by Councillor Sheridan.