There was political rivalry in the raw in Dundee and Angus on Wednesday as the referendum campaign trail hit Tayside.
Hours after Gordon Brown had been heckled at a speech in the city, MP Jim Murphy’s tour of Scotland faced angry Yes campaigners some of whom swore and shouted abuse as he attempted to stage a street debate.
Police and community safety wardens were in Dundee city centre to witness the slanging match unfold.
Shouts of “traitor” and “Red Tory” rang out as the politician faced up to a barrage of verbal abuse from irate nationalists.
Mr Murphy said: “I have really enjoyed it – it’s pavement politics.
“These people who heckle and shout and scream – and are wearing 15 Yes badges – they not interested in what I have to say and I’m never going to win them over.
“I’m trying to get through to the real people standing listening who are worried about the pound and their pensions and how Scotland is going to pay for independence.
“These hecklers don’t have any answers.”
Earlier in the day similar scenes occurred in Montrose, with men wearing Yes badges pointing, shouting and swearing at pensioners in front of local school children.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern said he doubted any of the group were SNP members.
He added: “I think it’s unfortunate that these separatists are not prepared to listen to any view other than their own.
“There are far too many zealots not prepared to listen to both sides of the issue.”
For full coverage of all the day’s referendum action in Tayside, see Thursday’s Courier.