A LARGS Labour councillor is at the centre of a political storm over a 'ned' comments he made when sharing a video of high profile Nationalist MP Mhari Black.

Labour's Alex Gallagher re-tweeted a video of Ms Black voicing her allegiance to the Queen at the re-opening of Westminster following the general election.

In the video clip, Ms Black who represents Paisley and Renfrewshire South, is seen affirming her allegiance "for the purpose of the job" before adding "I didn't get chucked out!" to a colleague, to which Cllr. Gallagher tweeted with the tag: "How many SNP MPs are just neds?".

It sparked a furious reaction on the councillor's own feed, prompting over 200 responses, and has now come under attack from the public and SNP councillor Alan Hill.

He said: "It is not that surprising coming from Alex Gallagher. It is derogatory and a bit insulting coming from a Labour politician to a lady from a working class background.

"A ned to me is a derogatory term used to describe a thug. "It has caused some uproar, but this is what Alex Gallagher seems to be spending most of his time doing at the moment.

"I didn't realise he was a monarchist as well as sitting on the right wing of the Labour party. He can make his own mind up when it comes to that but even so it is an odd comment for a Labour councillor to make."

Despite sharing the clip of Ms Black, Cllr. Gallagher told the News that the controversial tweet was not directed solely at the Paisley politician.

He said it was a swipe at the conduct of SNP MPs for showing 'disrespect' when swearing allegiance to the Crown.

He said: "If people get themselves elected to the main chamber they should behave in a dignified manner when they get there rather than behave in an immature and childish fashion.

"To my mind, it shows a deep disrespect. If they don't want to take the vow then they shouldn't put themselves forward to get elected in the first place. They shouldn't pretend they can't read the vow or cross their fingers.

"Anyway, I don't think the working class image sits easy with Mhari Black as she comes from Ralston which is a posh part of Paisley.

"It is just a tweet, personally I don't think it is a big deal. What is relevant is that the SNP is destroying services at a local level and we as a council in North Ayrshire have suffered £100m in cuts to the local authority - yet the SNP refuses to accept any responsibility.

"We are struggling under a vicious regime trying to deliver to our constituents but we are facing cut after cut from the Scottish and Westminster governments which curtail care packages, after school and breakfast clubs.

"The SNP are too busy being obsessed with constitutional questions and a second referendums after they lost the first one in 2014."

The House of Commons website states: "Members of the House of Commons take an oath of allegiance to the Crown. This is called swearing in. If they object to swearing the oath, they can make a solemn affirmation. They do this before taking their seats in Parliament. This can happen after a general election, by-election or after the death of the monarch.

"Oaths of allegiance to the Crown are common in British public life. They are similar to a declaration of loyalty to the state.

"Members of both Houses of Parliament are required by law to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown.

"MPs cannot take their seat, speak in debates, vote or receive a salary until taking the oath or affirmation. They could also be fined £500 and have their seat declared vacant “as if they were dead” if they attempted to do so.

MPs take the oath by holding the sacred text in their uplifted hand and saying the words of the oath:

"I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."