THE SNP’s candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election should begin her campaign with an apology, Scottish Labour has claimed.

The Holyrood by-election, sparked by the death of SNP minister Christina McKelvie — who held the seat with a 4,582 majority —  will be held on June 5, and will be the first parliamentary test in Scotland since last year’s general election.

SNP candidate in that election and local councillor Katy Loudon will contest the by-election, but Scottish Labour’s Dame Jackie Baillie has accused her of voting against an £8 million cash boost for Hamilton town centre.

“When she had the chance to stand up for Hamilton, she voted against it,” Dame Jackie said.

“She had the opportunity to back £8m of investment in the town centre and chose not to. That decision speaks volumes.

“Before she asks for a single vote, Katy Loudon should apologise to the people of Hamilton.”

Labour candidate Davy Russell said: “After 18 years of SNP government, our public services are on their knees — the NHS is in crisis, housing prices keep rising and our town centres are struggling.

“This by-election is a chance for change — a chance to say enough is enough.”

Accusing Labour of using an “important local issue as a political football,” Ms Loudon hit back: “In government, Labour has maintained the awful two-child cap, taken away vital payments from pensioners and overseen soaring household bills — all within a matter of months.

“Astonishingly, Labour MSPs are in lockstep with their London bosses, with most of their MSPs backing the £5 billion of Labour cuts to disability support.

“The people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse deserve better than a Labour candidate who will look the other way, like Anas Sarwar.”