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MP Dr Lisa Cameron who defected to Tories 'forced into hiding'

UK Parliament Lisa CameronUK Parliament
Lisa Cameron did not rule out standing down and triggering a by-election

A former SNP MP who defected to the Conservatives has claimed she and her family have had to go into hiding due to threats of violence.

Dr Lisa Cameron said she had to leave her home after she was threatened with being "bricked in the street".

She told The Times she had received a "torrent of abuse" in emails since announcing her defection on Thursday.

SNP leader Humza Yousaf has called on her to "do the honourable thing" and stand down, triggering a by-election.

Dr Cameron left the SNP ahead of a selection meeting to pick the next candidate for the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow constituency.

Since making the announcement she said she had received numerous threatening messages.

She told the newspaper the threats were "where the political discourse has got to in Scotland".

On her decision to leave the SNP, she said she felt "isolated" within the SNP's Westminster group and there was a lot of "fear and intimidation".

She said that intensified after she defended the teenage victim of unwanted sexual advances from SNP MP Patrick Grady.

She said she was prescribed anti-depressants and received counselling as a result of the treatment she claims to have received during her time within the party.

She has also changed her view on independence and said she no longer felt the government was being run competently.

Dr Cameron has represented the area since the 2015 general election but said she was facing a challenge in her seat from SNP staffer Grant Costello.

On choosing the Conservatives, Dr Cameron said she felt her views would not be welcomed in the Labour Party.

She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland.

PA Media Mike RussellPA Media
Mike Russell has dismissed Dr Cameron's defection as a "tantrum"

Dr Cameron's claims have been dismissed by senior SNP figures, including party president Mike Russell.

He told BBC's Good Morning Scotland on Friday that her claims were "unsubstantiated".

He said: "What the SNP needs to do is focus on the big issues in Scotland, not what seems to be a rather odd tantrum from somebody who was going to lose their nomination."

The defection was also downplayed by First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf.

He said constituents would be "deeply let down" by her actions and that she should stand down.