THE SNP has been criticised for selecting a controversial candidate to fight next month’s Inverclyde Council elections.

Philomena Donnachie, who works for Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan, has been chosen to contest ward four (Inverclyde North).

She was embroiled in a national row last year after comparing then Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson to child killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Under a Facebook photo doctored to make Mr Cameron and Mr Johnson look like the Moors murderers, Ms Donnachie, 55, said the only difference was the Conservative pair ‘bury their victims in the DWP [the Department for Work and Pensions], not the basement’.

And, despite being slammed by other SNP members at the time, she also praised the creators of the offensive picture, saying: “Using a recognised image to deliver a powerful message is exceptionally intelligent.”

Mr McMillan also distanced himself from her remarks, but still employs her as a caseworker.

Now Labour’s ward four hopeful, Councillor Martin Brennan, is saying he is surprised she was selected, ‘given her past history as an attack dog for the SNP through her social media remarks about David Cameron and Boris Johnson’.

Mr Brennan said: “She and her family are really nice people. Before she joined the SNP I could not imagine her doing something as tasteless as that.

“It’s not up to me to say if she is fit to be a candidate. It is really for the SNP to make that judgement. But it should not be forgotten that her distasteful remarks were condemned by her own party.”

He added: “I realise that people do things in the heat of the moment, which they might not normally do, but you would have thought the SNP selection committee must have raised questions about her Moors murderers remarks.”

Ms Donnachie, pictured, responded that she was disappointed at Mr Brennan’s ‘personal attack’.

She said: “It is symptomatic of the local politics in Inverclyde. Last year I made an error of judgement. I recognised that and I apologised. I’m sure everyone will have made errors of judgement in their lives. It’s how you learn from it that counts.

“This election should move on from the macho world of Inverclyde politics and focus on the issues at hand.

Inverclyde poverty, child poverty, closing the attainment gap, delivering 600 houses, primary 1 to primary 3 free school meals, accessible childcare, employment, care in the community and equal pay.

“I’ve been on the approved list of SNP council candidates for a number of months, and I will work tirelessly for my constituents if elected.”

She added: “I respect Martin Brennan. He and Mrs Brennan were teachers in my school and also attended the same church. He has a lovely family.

“I’ve met many people already who are supportive of a change of attitude and more female representation in Inverclyde Council. I believe I would be a welcomed breath of fresh air to a stifled council. I certainly will deliver that if elected.

“Even during the campaign, I would prefer to concentrate my efforts on serving the people of Inverclyde in both my work and as a volunteer in the many charities and organisations that I support and work with.”