NICOLA Sturgeon has sent a message of "solidarity" to a Conservative councillor whose home and cars were set on fire in the latest in a series of attacks. 

The First Minister said she "unreservedly and unequivocally" condemned the attacks on Graeme Campbell and his family.

Tory MSP Russell Findlay pointed the finger at organised crime and said the South Lanarkshire councillor now feels he has no option but to quit politics. 

In the latest incident, two cars were set on fire and the blaze spread to Mr Campbell's house in Strathaven, causing significant damage.

Raising the attack at First Minister's Questions, Mr Findlay, a former investigative journalist, said: "Graeme and his wife count themselves lucky to have survived. 

"He believes these cowardly attacks are linked to organised crime, and he tells me that now has no option but to quit politics. 

"Will the First Minister condemn organised crime mob rule in Scotland, and tell Parliament what the Scottish Government is doing about this attack on democracy?"

Ms Sturgeon replied: "I don't just unreservedly condemn organised crime, I unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the attacks on Cllr Campbell and his wife. 

"I can't imagine what they have been through facing these attacks, and I'm sure the thoughts of everybody across not just the chamber, but across the country, are with them, and I want to send him and his wife a message of solidarity from me and from my party today.

"These matters have to be treated with the utmost seriousness. Nobody, for whatever reason, should feel that they have no choice but to leave politics or to abandon any part of their life because of threats or attacks from organised crime or anywhere else. 

"It is of course not for me or the Government, it's for the police to investigate and hopefully bring to justice those who have perpetrated these attacks, and I offer my full support to the police in the actions they will be taking to do that. 

"But for the purposes of today, I want to reiterate that message of solidarity to Cllr Campbell and his family." 

Police Scotland previously said a man in dark clothing was seen in the area around the time the fire started.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin McGhee said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident. Did you notice anything suspicious or see anyone acting oddly?

“I would ask any motorists or taxi-drivers with dash cam devices to check their footage as the device may have captured images which could assist our investigation. 

"Any small piece of information could assist us in identifying who is responsible for this attack.”