AN SNP local election candidate whose business website claimed he was a direct descendent of George III has announced he will not contest the poll.

Stephen Brown, a businessman and treasurer at Citizens Advice Scotland, has said he would not stand as a Nationalist on May 4 on health grounds.

The Herald revealed last week how had purchased the title Lord Glencoe for £30 and calling himself Lord Yerton on his site his site stated his lineage to the Hanoverian monarch had "recently been verified by DNA analysis".

The move also comes on the back of his decision to quit social media following a row with a pro-Union tweeter where he suggested his opponent on a long-running spat should emigrate.

The Herald:

He had been selected to contest the Dalry and West Kilbride ward in North Ayrshire.

In a statement, Mr Brown said: "Regrettably I have withdrawn from running in the NAC campaign due to health reasons.

"I am aware that the other parties who can only get publicity by quoting me completely out of context, will attempt to make political capital from this, but I am in the unenviable position of taking the doctor’s instructions beyond any party political line."

Mr Brown had previously claimed his laird credentials had been a joke with friends but there re-emergence following his selection had triggered political concerns and some local mockery.

One local source had told The Herald that it was preferable that issue had emerged before rather than after the election and raised questions over how Mr Brown had cleared SNP selection hurdles.

When asked about the royalty claims and Twitter comments Mr Brown said he was was a suitable candidate on the basis of his professional and personal background, adding the social media comments came on the back of right-wing attacks.

An SNP spokesman said “We have just been advised by Stephen that he is standing down for health reasons, and we wish him well in his recovery.

"In terms of the vacancy that this leaves, it will be for his local branch to consider whether it wishes to fill this in the coming weeks.”