THE SNP has refused to say whether an Inverclyde councillor will face action for backing a rival party in the Holyrood election.

Councillor Jim McEleny declared he would give his regional vote to Alba in support of his son Chris, who was standing as a West Scotland region candidate for former first minister Alex Salmond's party.

Jim said: "It has been put to me that by backing our SNP candidate Stuart McMillan in our constituency and Alba on the Regional List that this could see me censured.

"The independence movement is a family."

Officials at SNP headquarters have declined to comment on any possible disciplinary action.