One of Aberdeen’s top businessmen has backed SNP candidate Callum McCaig in his campaign for the Aberdeen South seat at Westminster.
Stewart Spence, the owner of the five-star Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, has given the councillor and former council leader his stamp of approval.
If Mr McCaig wins the seat, he will take it from Labour’s Dame Anne Begg who has held it in every election since 1997.
In an SNP campaign leaflet sent through letterboxes in the constituency last week, Mr Spence said: “I have had the pleasure of sitting on a local board with Callum and I have always admired his ability and desire to get the best for this city. He understands business.
“This is a crucial election and a chance for Scotland to get a government which truly represents it. But it is in our hands, we need to return the right candidate.
“I believe Callum is by far the best option for Aberdeen South.”
Mr McCaig said he was thrilled to have the public backing of the Marcliffe boss.
“I’ve known Stewart for a good few years now and he was very happy to support me, I’m absolutely thrilled to have his backing, especially from someone so prominent in the business community in Aberdeen.
“We’ve been getting a lot of positive responses out on the doorsteps already, so I hope the backing will make a positive addition to the campaign.”
Harvey Aberdein, co-founder of Aberdein Considine solicitors also backed Mr McCaig’s campaign.
In a statement Mr Aberdein said: “I have known Callum for many years. He is an outstanding local candidate who will stand for all of us in Aberdeen South and fight in our corner at Westminster without fear or favour.”
Mr McCaig is also running against the Lib Dem’s Denis Rixon, the Conservative Party’s Ross Thomson and the Scottish Green Party’s Dan Yeats.