A man hurled threats and abuse to a former SNP MP for waving a Palestine flag at his home.

James Bruce, 58, confronted the ex-Glasgow East representitive in Glasgow's Mount Vernon on May 12 2024.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Bruce saw a Palestine flag flying in the garden of David Linden's home.

Bruce claimed in his evidence that he had never seen or heard of Mr Linden before confronting him.

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Bruce mentioned to Mr Linden about "raping and murdering children" in relation to "your f***ing flag."

He also went on to threaten Mr Linden that he would "f***ing do" him.

Bruce denied uttering the comments and that was the reason that he pled not guilty to the charge.

He claimed that he told Mr Linden that the flying of the flag was "offensive" because of what he had seen on TV.

When asked by his lawyer Jacqueline White what he had watched he replied: "People getting murdered by these Palestinians, killing women and children.

"I had to say something."

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Bruce claimed that he did not distinguish between a Hamas flag and a Palestinian flag.

Prosecutor Stewart McLean meantime put to Bruce that he was "insenced" by the Palestinian flag.

He replied: "It annoyed me."

Mr McLean: "You were very angry."

Bruce: "I wasn't."

Bruce was later spoken to by police officers who claimed to have been told by him that "He [Mr Linden] was supporting murdering b******s."

He was also stated to have said "it's about this f***ing flag."

Bruce told the court that he was unaware who his MP was but knew that the prime minister was "Starmer."

When asked if he was racist, Bruce replied: "No, I have friends who are coloured, I work with boys from Latvia, I'm not racist in any way."

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Bruce was found guilty today of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Mr Linden.

The offence was aggravated by prejudice related to race, colour, nationality including citizenshp, or ethnic or national origins.

When convicting him, Sheriff Tom Ward said: "I am satisfied David Linden didn't come here to tell lies.

"He told me what happened and I believe what happened.

"I have no doubt as far as the charge is concerned, you are guilty as libelled.

"You can exercise your opinion as long as its within the law.

"When you go to someone's property and debate them in the way you did, you are not acting in the law."

Bruce was then fined £640 by the sheriff.

The SNP were accused earlier this year of engaging in "sectarian politics" by Jewish former politician Andrew Percy after the Palestinian flag featured on campaign leaflets to re-elect Mr Linden.