Bill Walker MSP expelled from SNP over abuse claims

Bill Walker was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011

A member of the Scottish Parliament has been expelled from the SNP after allegations of domestic abuse were published in a Sunday newspaper.

Bill Walker, who is 71, was elected to the Dunfermline seat for the SNP in 2011.

The party suspended Mr Walker and launched an investigation last month afterallegations in the Sunday Heraldconcerning his three former wives.

Mr Walker, who remains an MSP, has the right to appeal against the decision.

A woman who answered his phone said he was not taking calls.

An SNP spokesman said: "Bill Walker has been informed of the decision by the SNP's disciplinary committee to expel him from the party, and of his right under the rules to appeal this decision within the next 21 days.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further until this process is at an end."

Mr Walker resigned his membership of both the Local Government and Public Petitions committees at the Scottish Parliament last month.

At the time, Mr Walker issued a statement through his Dunfermline constituency office saying "it was only right" that he resigned from the committees during his suspension.

Mr Walker has been an outspoken opponent of plans to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland, comparing gay rights campaigners to Nazis.