The future son-in-law of MP Corri Wilson has been accused of jibing he was the ‘RA on tour’ during a holiday trip.
Northern Ireland-raised Chris Cullen - standing for the SNP in the South Ayrshire Council election - is said to have posted the controversial comment on Facebook.
RA is commonly used as a short-form for the IRA.
But Mr Cullen has hit back, claiming he is a victim of a social media hate campaign and sectarian abuse.
A Facebook thread appears to show him quipping “Ra on tour” as he and others discussed their holiday to Mexico last year.
It sparked fury among some fellow Ayr Nats who captured a screenshot seen by the Ayrshire Post.
It is understood a complaint has been lodged with the SNP about the comment, which has been posted publicly on the online forum ‘Ayr says Aye.’
Mr Cullen, 35, hails from Armagh and backs a united Ireland. He blasted the accusations as rumours.
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He said: “I am extremely disappointed at how quickly this election campaign has descended into personal attacks and sectarian abuse. I stood as a candidate because of my passion to work on the issues affecting the people of Ayr East, and because I want to see the town that I now call home thrive again. But I have been astonished to find myself subject to rumours about my personal life and accusations of affiliation to the IRA.
“I have never made any secret of the fact that, like many people born in Northern Ireland, I hold dual Irish and UK citizenship. I am also a supporter of the unification of Ireland. But I am not, nor have I ever been, a supporter or a member of a terrorist organisation. I was 14 years old when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, and the idea that I would join a paramilitary group is simply just ludicrous.”
He has been selected to represent the SNP in Ayr East - the former ward of Ayr Carrick and Cumnock member Ms Wilson.
An SNP supporter, who wished to remain anonymous, blasted: “It is totally inappropriate for a prospective councillor to make a comment about the IRA in this context. It is a terrorist organisation. He is a well known Irish republican. We can’t believe he got through the vetting process.”
Joiner Mr Cullen is engaged to Shannon Donoghue, the daughters of local MP Corri Wilson.
It is believed he went on holiday to Mexico with Shannon and Corri after allegedly making the post, which dozens of people were tagged in.
Mr Cullen added: “I fully appreciate that the West of Scotland has long struggled with the problems of sectarianism and anti-Irish sentiment but, since moving here five years ago, this is the first time it has affected me directly. Up until now, I have found the people of Ayrshire to be friendly and welcoming, so I am hugely disappointed by this development. I know that people who put themselves forward for election have to quickly develop a thick skin, and I am happy to take constructive criticism on the chin. However, I am not prepared to put up with racist and sectarian abuse, and have now sought legal advice with a view to having these people prosecuted.”
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Mr Cullen has displaced well known councillor Ian Douglas in Ayr East who is not standing again after being outvoted during the internal selection process.
Councillor Douglas said: “I have had 10 years representing the people of Ayr East. I have worked hard and am disappointed to not get the opportunity to stand again.
“But I understand you reach a certain stage in your life when you have to stand aside for the younger ones.”