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An SNP councillor in Renfrewshire is being investigated by an ethics watchdog after accusing political rivals of “wanting to kill people” during a debate on independence.

Will Mylet made the comments at a full council meeting in June – claiming Labour and Conservative governments were “more than happy” to put money into nuclear weapons and have “the ability to commit genocide.”

He added: “You want to kill people, you don’t want to feed people. That’s the difference and that’s what I want to change.

“I want Scotland to be away from nuclear weapons and your parties support Trident on the Clyde.

“They will never remove it, it will never appear in your manifesto. Again, we’ve got the crocodile tears, every single time.”

In a statement directed at a Conservative member, he then said austerity amounted to “no more than the murder of the people that you’re here to look after.”

Councillor Mylet’s language sparked a complaint to the Ethical Standards Commissioner from Councillor Alec Leishman, which has since been accepted for investigation.

He considered the rant to include “bullying and offensive language” which he found “distressing and upsetting” and incompatible with the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Mylet, who represents Paisley East and Central, was asked by the commissioner to provide an explanation for the comments he made during the meeting on June 30.

The watchdog will consider the evidence and decide whether this indicates if there has been a contravention of the code.

If the complaint is upheld, Councillor Mylet will have an opportunity to consider the conclusion and provide comments before the outcome of the investigation is reported to the Standards Commission for Scotland.

It could then decide to ask the Ethical Standards Commission to investigate further, hold a public hearing or take no action.

A spokesperson for the watchdog has confirmed it is considering a case regarding Councillor Mylet.

Councillor Leishman has said he won’t comment on the complaint while it is under investigation by the commissioner.

Meanwhile, Councillor Mylet denies any wrongdoing.

"I’m pretty certain I’m covered by my human rights under free speech," he said. “I did address some opinions, the rest of it was factual.

“If the Conservatives can’t handle the facts, they need to reconsider what party they want to be in.”