A Glasgow MSP has sparked a row with the Orange Order after he said he will not "speak up" for people who want Orange marches in Glasgow.

Mr Mason, SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, made the remark on twitter in an exchange of tweets about parades.

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Mr Mason tweeted: “I am happy to represent every constituent on issues like housing and to discuss all sorts of issues with constituents. However, I will not be speaking up for constituents who want lower taxes, orange marches, keeping Scotland in the UK, etc.”

He responded to twitter users, stating: “The Council makes the decisions on individual marches and the Parliament decides if we need to tighten up the laws. My job is to speak up for those who are suffering from multiple Orange marches.”

Earlier in the exchange, he said a “good first step would be to reduce the number of Orange and Republican marches”.

His comments attracted the attention of the highest levels in the Orange Order, who accused him of discrimination.

Jim McHarg, Grand Master of the Orange Order in Scotland, said: “We find the comments by John Mason MSP morally repugnant. 

“Whilst he remains free to promote his own political agenda, he should also recognise the obligations he has to all his constituents, not just those who share his own narrow opinions.

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“He has clearly said that he won’t speak for a significant proportion of his constituents, purely on the grounds of their religious beliefs or their politics.  This is discrimination, in its ugliest form, and it is no surprise that his comments are being roundly condemned. 

“As a constituency representative in the Scottish Parliament, If he doesn’t have the inclination for equal representation for all, then he should immediately consider his position.”

“Surely our First Minister cannot condone and indeed should condemn these comments from John Mason?”