A Dundee councillor who allegedly sent Islamophobic texts to a Muslim colleague in the wake of the Paris terror attacks has quit.

Craig Melville is being investigated by the Standards Commission and has already been suspended from his role as an aide to SNP deputy leader Stewart Hosie.

Police Scotland confirmed it is also investigating the allegations after an official complaint was made.

In a letter of resignation to the SNP, Mr Melville said the pressure of dealing with the allegations against him prompted his decision.

He said: "It is with sadness that I have decided to resign my position as a councillor for the Maryfield Ward of Dundee.

"The pressures of the recent deeply distressing allegations are having an adverse effect on the health of my family and I.

"Therefore I do not feel that I am currently able to fulfil my duties as councillor for the aforementioned ward and to continue as convener of the environment committee to the best of my abilities.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I have been to serve the residents of the Maryfield ward and for the help and assistance I have received from the various community groups.

"I would also like to acknowledge the support I have received over the years from council officers and fellow councillors across all parties.

"I will not be making any further comment and would appreciate if the privacy of my friends and family, who are fully supporting me, may be respected."

According to the Daily Record newspaper, Mr Melville is alleged to have sent a number of texts to an unnamed woman in the party.

One text allegedly read: "It's not personal I just f*****g hate your religion and I'll do all in I'm life do defeat your filth."

Another said: "And in your favour we live in an uneducated left lift loopy left wing society who is more interested in claiming benefits and being ignorant to the threat of your horrible disease which is a make believe c**t in the sky. Horrible murdering Islamic c***s."

Mr Melville has already pledged to cooperate fully with any police investigation.

Dundee City Council leader and fellow SNP member Ken Guild reported Mr Melville to the public standards watchdog.

He said: "If true, these allegations are extremely shocking and are not the sort of behaviour acceptable for a member of Dundee City Council."

The SNP also made a statement when the news first broke, saying it "condemns Islamophobia in the strongest possible terms and we will not tolerate it in our party".

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