A PROMINENT Scottish Labour parliamentary candidate and opponent of Jeremy Corbyn has been called on to explain her links to a “military propaganda unit” in the British Army.

Kate Watson, who was selected to fight the Glasgow East constituency in June 2018, is believed to be a member of the 77th Brigade, an army force that specialises in what it calls “special influence methods.”

As an organisation, the Brigade’s role is to develop analysis and detailed intelligence about domestic and international political situations.

It also deploys soldiers on “psychological operations,” and has admitted that it currently has 29 operatives who are in “active service.”

Part of this service involves engaging in forms of “non-lethal warfare” and “legitimate non-military levers” by creating social media content to combat the opponents of British foreign policy.

The Brigade is also closely linked to Tory MP Mark Lancaster, who is listed as the deputy commander of the army unit on his website.

University of Bristol sociology professor David Miller told the Herald: “The 77th Brigade is involved in manipulation of the media including using fake online profiles.

“Glasgow East is traditional Labour territory.

“A Labour candidate seeking to represent it should be transparent about their affiliations and commitments.”

Ms Watson was one of 300 senior Scottish Labour figures who called for Mr Corbyn’s resignation during the parliamentary coup against him in summer 2016.

She was appointed the candidate for Glasgow East in the 2017 general election by the right-wing national executive of Scottish Labour, and narrowly lost by 75 votes to the incumbent SNP candidate.