This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-50468770

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tory candidate for Aberdeen North dropped over anti-Semitic comments Tory Aberdeen candidate suspended for 'unacceptable' comments
(about 3 hours later)
A Conservative party election candidate has been suspended over alleged anti-Semitic comments he made seven years ago. A Conservative party election candidate has been suspended over alleged anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and homophobic comments he made seven years ago.
Ryan Houghton, a candidate in the Aberdeen North constituency, confirmed his suspension on Monday after The National published the allegations. Ryan Houghton - a candidate in the Aberdeen North constituency - confirmed his suspension on Monday after The National published the allegations.
He said the party had withdrawn support for his campaign while an investigation took place. He has apologised for any hurt caused but insisted the comments were taken out of context.
The Scottish Conservatives said the comments made were "unacceptable". The Scottish Conservatives said the blog comments were "unacceptable".
Mr Houghton released a statement on his Twitter feed, saying the comments were taken "out of context". Mr Houghton remains a candidate but the Conservatives have withdrawn their support for his campaign while an investigation takes place.
He said: "At the age of 20 on an online forum, I took part in a range of political discussions. These included terrorism, LGBT rights and anti-Semitism." The National listed a number of posts, including one where he argued that while there was "no credible evidence to suggest the Holocaust did not happen" he went on to say: "I do find some of the events fabricated."
Mr Houghton was also quoted as saying he did not see how homosexuality was good for the human race.
In other alleged comments he said Islam's core teachings had the goal of "world domination" and that some Muslims had big families with the aim of creating "Eurabia".
He released a statement on his Twitter feed, saying the comments were taken "out of context" and insisted he had never held anti-Semitic, racist or homophobic views.
Mr Houghton said: "At the age of 20 on an online forum, I took part in a range of political discussions. These included terrorism, LGBT rights and anti-Semitism."
He said that in one of the threads he had discussed freedom of speech and he had discussed comments made by Holocaust denier David Irving.He said that in one of the threads he had discussed freedom of speech and he had discussed comments made by Holocaust denier David Irving.
'Apologise unreservedly'
He said he made clear in subsequent posts that he was not defending the views and strongly opposed Holocaust denial.He said he made clear in subsequent posts that he was not defending the views and strongly opposed Holocaust denial.
He added: "I apologise unreservedly for any hurt now caused by these comments and have been in contact with members of the Jewish community in Aberdeen." The candidate added: "I apologise unreservedly for any hurt now caused by these comments and have been in contact with members of the Jewish community in Aberdeen."
'Blogs unacceptable'
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "The comments contained in these blogs are unacceptable and Mr Houghton has been suspended as a member of the Scottish Conservative party as a result.A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "The comments contained in these blogs are unacceptable and Mr Houghton has been suspended as a member of the Scottish Conservative party as a result.
"The party has also withdrawn its support for his candidacy in Aberdeen North."The party has also withdrawn its support for his candidacy in Aberdeen North.
"The Scottish Conservatives deplore all forms of Islamophobia, homophobia and anti-Semitism.""The Scottish Conservatives deplore all forms of Islamophobia, homophobia and anti-Semitism."
It comes just a week Labour candidate Kate Ramsden quit in Aberdeenshire following a row over anti-Semitism.It comes just a week Labour candidate Kate Ramsden quit in Aberdeenshire following a row over anti-Semitism.
She stood down in the Gordon constituency after the Jewish Chronicle highlighted a blog in which she compared Israel to an abused child who becomes an abusive adult.She stood down in the Gordon constituency after the Jewish Chronicle highlighted a blog in which she compared Israel to an abused child who becomes an abusive adult.
Another Scottish Labour candidate, Frances Hoole, was also been dropped over a social media post attacking her SNP opponent.Another Scottish Labour candidate, Frances Hoole, was also been dropped over a social media post attacking her SNP opponent.