A RATTLED Labour candidate left a hustings crowd in shock when he walked off stage calling a punter a "fat b******" in Argyll and Bute.

Michael Kelly, who is standing for MP in Argyll and Bute, was quizzed on Scottish independence by former councillor Campbell Cameron at the Oban hustings on Monday night.

1 Audience members said Kelly was noticeable 'distracted'

Co-op worker Kelly - who was reportedly "distracted all evening" - was third in line to answer the question, alongside Tory candidate Gary Mulvaney, Lib Dem Alan Reid and the SNP's Brendan O'Hara.

After Kelly stumbled over his answer, Mr Cameron suggested he shouldn't have attended the event ill-prepared - to which Kelly responded by storming offstage saying "fat b******".

It comes just days before voters go to the polls.

Punters were left in shock over the fracas - with some calling Kelly's performance "shambolic".

Well ! Oban Hustings were interesting. Labour candidate walks out after a comment from an audience and then shouts Fat B*****d as he leaves. — Marion power (@powmarion) June 5, 2017

I'm wondering if @Michael_Kelly_K is still Labour's candidate after last night's shambolic performance and walk-off! — le.chat (@_steadyrain_) June 6, 2017

While Mr Cameron declined to comment, SNP councillor Julie McKenzie found Kelly's outburst "completely inexcusable".

She said: “The hustings performance from the Labour candidate was puzzling to say the least.

"Mr Kelly seemed distracted all evening and also appeared to be disengaged and confused by many of the questions from the public.

"As someone who has been a candidate I fully accept that for a variety of reasons anyone can have an off night, however the derogatory verbal outburst which he aimed at an audience member was shocking and completely inexcusable.

"I would hope that both he and Scottish Labour have already issued an apology to the gentleman concerned."

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But Tory hopeful Gary Mulvaney blasted the Nat's take on the matter, saying Kelly's outburst was "much ado about nothing".

He said: "Michael is a new candidate and he's doing a new thing for his party.

"My view is the comment from the member of the public was out of order.

"Michael is young and inexperienced and he was bullied by a member of the audience who should have known better.

"The Conservatives are in second place and the SNP don't like it - they shouldn't be saying much about it."

Scottish Labour were approached for comment but a spokesman said they had been unable to reach Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly could not be reached.

mary.mccool@the-sun.co.uk

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