SNP under scrutiny over vetting after 'swingers' profile linked to Holyrood hopeful

The SNP is facing renewed scrutiny over its candidate vetting procedures after The Daily Mail unearthed an online 'swingers' profile linked to a Holyrood hopeful. Math Campbell-Sturgess, 42, founder of the English Scots for YES campaign, withdrew his candidacy for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election on Saturday after being presented with the findings. He had been selected as the SNP's MSP candidate to contest the Dumbarton seat earlier this year.

Details were found on Fabswingers.com under the username Scotsbicouple. The profile describes ongoing arrangements for sex meetups and includes references to threesomes, adult parties and related activities. It also features explicit images, including a woman in underwear performing a sex act; the profile notes that images of the man, identified only as 'M' (42), are limited due to 'work sensitivities.'

When confronted by The Mail on Thursday, Campbell-Sturgess initially denied the account was his and suggested it could be an impersonation. After further evidence was presented, he said that ‘everyone is entitled to a private life’ and that he had ‘done nothing wrong,’ before announcing he would step back from candidacy. The SNP indicated it would not comment on whether he would remain a councillor while the matter was ongoing.

The revelation drew immediate political reaction. Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Rachael Hamilton, told reporters that while no laws appeared to have been broken, the episode raised serious concerns about the SNP’s judgement and vetting procedures. ‘The public rightly expect their elected representatives to behave in a way that upholds the dignity of public office — and many will be deeply shocked by these revelations,’ Hamilton said. ‘The SNP must urgently explain how this was allowed to happen.’

The incident comes amid a string of sex- and relationship-related controversies involving SNP figures and has intensified questions about the party’s internal processes. Former Finance Minister Derek Mackay, former Glasgow North MP Patrick Grady, and Jordan Linden, a former SNP North Lanarkshire council leader, have all faced scrutiny in similar arenas in recent years.

Beyond the immediate political fallout, the profile appears to have been active for years and was accessible until recently. The account lists a range of interests including adult parties, group sex, making videos, role play, swingers clubs, taking photos, threesomes and voyeurism. The Daily Mail notes it did not publish some of the more explicit activities for reasons of taste and decency. The profile also indicates the couple used two accounts, Scotsbicouple for the man and PictiiWitch for the woman, with requests often indicating that meetings would not proceed until a certain level of familiarity was established, and that travel could be arranged with notice.

Campbell-Sturgess, born in England, has described himself as a jewellery designer and political staffer. He previously served as an SNP councillor in Greenock (2012–2017) before being elected to represent Helensburgh & Lomond South from 2022. He also stood against Brendan O’Hara for a Westminster seat in 2023. His candidacy had been viewed as a signal of the SNP’s bid to broaden its appeal in that area. In a statement, an SNP spokesman said: ‘We have been informed of his decision to step down as a candidate.’