UNIONIST protesters have been ejected from the Holyrood chamber after barracking Nicola Sturgeon about alleged IRA supporters in the SNP.

One called the First Minister “Brigadier Sturgeon”.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh briefly halted proceedings as the two men were removed by staff and police during First Minister’s Questions.

One of the men also referred to John Mason, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston.

READ MORE: FMQs recap: Two men 'taken from debate chamber gallery after shouting about IRA'

In 2017, he was forced to apologise after suggesting some people saw the IRA terrorists who killed three soldiers in 1971 as “freedom fighters”.

Asked on Twitter to support a justice campaign for the three soldiers, he said: “You say Irish murderers. Others say Irish freedom fighters. I support Scottish soldiers if they do good but not if they do bad”.

Mr Mason was in the headlines again last week after saying he would not speak up for constituents who supported for Orange walks and the Union.

It also emerged his website asked constituents who contacted him what party they supported and if they backed independence.

The Scottish Tories have said Ms Sturgeon should consider ending his political career.

At First Minister’s Questions, Glasgow Maryhill MSP Bob Doris was about to ask a question when shouting was heard from one of the public galleries.

A man shouted at Ms Sturgeon: “Brigadier Sturgeon, why do so many of your party support the IRA? Do you think that’s appropriate? Supporting the IRA, the party of administration in government?

“John Mason, a sectarian bigot, won’t support unionists in society.”

When other people in the chamber reacted with baffled cries of “What?”, the man replied: “Yeah, laugh. Brigadier Sturgeon.

"How many support the IRA in your party, Nicola? John Mason called them Irish freedom fighters, did he, and he won’t support unionists. SNP IRA!”

The broadcast feed to the general public was cut during the incident.

However a full audio recording of the exchange, apparently made by one of the men involved, was later posted on social media.

It includes one man refusing to give his details to the police, arguing he has not committed an offence, but agreeing to leave the building while referring to “terrorists in government”.

 

Mr Mason later left the chamber flanked by fellow SNP MSPs Christine Grahame and Roseanna Cunningham and refused to take questions from the media.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon asked to consider position of MSP John Mason after claim he will not speak up for unionists

Mr Cunningham, the environment secretary, advised him: “Don’t engage”.

Mr Mason said he would respond later in a written statement.

FMQs was twice interrupted last week by climate change protestors.

Asked later about the incident, the First Minister’s official spokesman called it a  “bizarre intervention” that he didn’t want to dignify with a longer answer.

Asked if Mr Mason was giving the SNP a bad name, he replied: “I’m not here to speak for John Mason. I’m here to speak for the Government.”

In a statement, Mr Mason said: "Firstly, I do not agree with people disrupting Parliament in the way that happened today. 

"There are many ways for people to express their opinions to MSPs and other politicians. 

"First Minister’s Questions is an important part of the democratic process and it should be allowed to take place uninterrupted. Otherwise democracy suffers.

"Therefore, I do not feel it is appropriate for me to comment today on anything the protestors may have said or meant. 

"I can discuss these issues at another time but I do not want to give publicity to this kind of action which I fundamentally disagree with."