A former RAF officer convicted of abusing his wife after accusing her of cheating will stand as an independent candidate at May's council elections.
Ex-wing commander Allan Steele is aiming to become a councillor in East Renfrewshire when voters go to the polls this spring - but will no longer represent the Lib Dems.
The Record revealed last month how campaigners against domestic abuse had questioned whether the former airman was an appropriate candidate.
Following publication of our story, the Lib Dems said they suspended Steele's membership - but he insisted he chose to resign and "felt better for it".
Steele is now hoping voters will back him as an independent candidate capable of standing up to what he claimed was "a worrying culture of intimidation" in East Renfrewshire local politics.
He previously launched a crowdfunder last year in a bid to help him overturn his conviction for shouting and swearing at ex partner Linzi – claiming he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Steele had originally landed himself in court in 2016 accused of grappling with his wife in a bid to seize a laptop he believed contained damning evidence of an affair.
His ex told Kilmarnock Sheriff Court that her military legal adviser husband - who was decorated by Barack Obama after serving at the Pentagon - branded her a “slut” and accused her of leaving a sex aid in view of three children.
The officer, who had served at NATO’S Joint Force Command in Brunnsum, Netherlands, claimed he had uncovered texts and emails between Linzi and an old school friend she had met at a reunion.
He admitted he took Linzi’s laptop after seeing a message saying “He knows everything,” but denied assaulting or being abusive to her at a house in Waterside, Ayrshire.
He said he had stumbled as his wife fell on to a bed and she bit him before he escaped with the laptop.
He was found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour at a house in Waterside, Ayrshire, but an assault charge was found not proven.
Steele appealed his conviction in 2017 but Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen rejected it and said Steele's 'angry and aggressive' behaviour had left his wife in fear of him.
He has since begun plotting a career in local politics and still hopes to be elected for the Giffnock and Thornliebank ward in East Renfewshire.
Steele said: "It is true that I resigned from the Liberal Democrats and I feel all the better for it.
"I am engaging with the party’s complaints staff in London, having reported a number of concerns about what is happening in Scotland."
He added: "I am standing for election because not enough is being done locally to tackle social isolation, loneliness and the culture of fear that is brought about by online bullying and harassment.
"I have received many messages of support from people who support a range of parties. Their concerns are the same as mine.
"Party politics has largely become a distraction when it comes to local issues.
"Not enough is being done to address mental health issues. Not enough is being done to foster an inclusive community. Not enough is being done for our environment.
"Locally, there is a worrying culture of intimidation, particularly on social media by people who are afraid to use their own identities. I have been warned by good people in other parties about it."
A Lib Dem spokesman said Steele "was suspended and chose to resign rather than face a complaints process".
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