SNP accused of 'stitch up' as candidate removed from ballot
Voting closes on Tuesday, however Mr Giugliano has been suspended from the party and removed from the candidate process.
The Falkirk South branch has warned the legitimacy of the selection process will be called into question unless Mr Giugliano is reinstated as a matter of urgency.
A complaint of bullying was first made against Mr Giugliano on August 31, 2024, The Herald understands.
Under rules from the SNP, complaints must be referred to the disciplinary committee no later than a month after the allegations are made.
However, it was not escalated and the complaint was then dropped, with Mr Giugliano passing party vetting on March 12, 2025.
But sources close to Mr Giugliano said the complaint was resurrected days after he secured a nomination by local branch members in Falkirk.
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A statement to the SNP National Secretary Alex Kerr, written by the Falkirk South branch executive, said warned it was a 'politically motivated' attack on Mr Giugliano.
A local member also told The Herald that Falkirk council leader Cecil Meiklejohn had orchestrated the complaint.
Her son-in-law Iain Sinclair, is also seeking election in the Falkirk West seat.
The statement from the branch said: 'The SNP is founded on the principles of democracy and the active participation of its members.
'We are therefore dismayed that Toni Giugliano – a vetted candidate – was removed from the ballot just days before the declaration of results, in a decision that is entirely politically motivated and lacking in transparency.
'This action disenfranchises members who cast their first-preference votes for Toni Giugliano, effectively discarding their democratic choice. Such disregard for members' voices is unacceptable.
'Toni Giugliano secured the backing on the majority of delegates at the Falkirk South nomination meeting. He must be immediately reinstated.
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'Otherwise, the legitimacy of the selection process is fundamentally compromised and will not be recognised by local members.
'The conduct of this selection process brings the party's internal democracy into disrepute.'
A local member said: 'Toni has been stitched up and the voices of local members totally disregarded.
'Whether you voted for him or not – you can't remove a candidate from a ballot just because you know they're going to win. Is this Scotland or North Korea.
'SNP HQ have fabricated this entire scenario – if they think ordinary members will just accept it, they're delusional.'
The source added: 'Cecil Meiklejohn made it very clear to many people that Toni had to be removed.
'The only way to ensure her son-in-law wins the race is to get shot of Toni.'
Another told The Herald Mr Giugliano had become too outspoken on alternative approaches to independence after he publicly urged the SNP to work with the Alba Party and the Scottish Greens to develop a pro-independence pact.
The source said: 'It appears Toni has pushed too hard on independence - especially when saying the SNP should work with others in the Yes movement. It's not gone down well with the leadership. And that's what this is really about.
A spokeswoman for the SNP told The Herald: 'Any internal disciplinary matters are dealt with in a manner that is confidential to the parties concerned.'
Mr Kerr and Ms Meiklejohn were also asked for comment.
A spokesperson for Mr Giugliano said: 'I'm hugely grateful to Falkirk SNP members who continued to show their unwavering support. Local members are the foundation of any political party. Their voices, democracy, fairness and due process must, and will, prevail."
It is not the first time Mr Giugliano has faced internal battles.
In December 2023, he was cleared from multiple complaints of wrongdoing from a "cabal" of senior figures who claimed he had placed pressure on local members to support his Westminster bid.
Lorna Flynn, the SNP's then national secretary cleared the activist of wrongdoing.
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