Cybernat troll puts the blame on Ruth Davidson

SNP member Marc Hughes, 46, could be kicked out of the party for his foul-mouthed Twitter rant against the gay politician.

The sexually explicit attack, posted under the pseudonym Laird O’Callaghan, sparked fury across the political spectrum.

Hughes’s profile featured the SNP logo and artwork for “The 45 Group” of Yes voters.

He was unmasked after putting a copy of the graphic remarks on his Facebook page.

International development minister Humza Yousaf called for the perpetrator to be expelled from the party.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed during First Minister’s Questions that action had been taken, telling MSPs the culprit had been identified and suspended from membership of the SNP.

Ms Davidson replied to Wednesday night’s rant: “Nice. Classy. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Bet she’s really proud of you.”

Thanking those who backed her online, she added: “I appear to have inspired great gallantry today. Thanks for all your messages.

“I call out a selection of the homophobic abuse I receive because people (especially young people) need to know that they don’t have to just sit there and take it.

“It’s not OK. They can challenge it. Your responses to this mindless idiot shows social media can be a good place.”

It later emerged Ms Davidson had accepted an apology from Hughes after speaking to him by telephone.

But the jobless independence campaigner told the Daily Express the row was “a storm in a teacup”.

Hughes also claimed he had been a victim of sectarian abuse and said he had launched his tirade because Tories “demonise the sick and the unemployed”.

He answered the door of his home in Tranent, East Lothian, at around 1pm yesterday wearing a tattered dressing gown.

Hughes, who claims he cannot work because he suffers from anxiety and depression, said: “It’s less than a storm in a teacup. 

“I don’t like her. I don’t like what she stands for. At the end of the day I’m personally affected by the policies of her party.

“I wanted to get her attention in a very foolish way. The likes of her are demonising ordinary people.

“It was pure anger. Her sexuality has nothing to do with it whatsoever.

“I just wanted her attention, not the attention of the rest of the world. I regret what I said.”

During the referendum campaign, the SNP was constantly embarrassed by an online army of “cybernats”.

JK Rowling and David Bowie were two of many who became targets for speaking in favour of the Union.

The attack on Ms Davidson comes just days after Ukip’s Scottish MEP, David Coburn, provoked outrage by referring to Mr Yousaf as Abu Hamza, hate preacher and terrorist.

Hughes, who said he used to vote Labour before turning to the SNP, added: “It comes across as homophobic. Was it wrong? Yes.

“Anyone who knows me knows I’m not homophobic. I’ve got gay family members and friends. The SNP have made a big deal out of this whereas before they’ve ignored me on political issues.”

Ms Davidson, who last month introduced voters to her partner Jen Wilson, 33, in a party election broadcast, has been named one of the UK’s most influential gay people.

In a statement, she said she would not be reporting the incident to the police and added: “I’m not the only politician who gets abuse online. 

“It is heartening to me that so many people online agree that challenging someone’s politics is healthy – but abusing them for their race, colour, gender, sexuality or other area of themselves is simply unacceptable. Scotland is better than that.”