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A Brexit Party candidate who was criticised for posing in a Nazi-eraGerman helmet is not using his real name in the election.

Ex-soldier Colin Mitchelson, who is contesting Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, is listed as “Mitch William”, which includes his nickname.

Scottish Green candidate Scott Rutherford said: “People are telling me this election is important because it is electing an MP that could sit for five years.

“They want someone who will take issues seriously like the climate emergency and the future of Mossmorran. It’s not a fancy dress competition.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Mitchelson, who used to be an aide for eccentric former UKIP MEP David Coburn, hit the headlines in 2017 over photographs of himself next to his then boss’s home in France.

The selfie showed him wearing headgear that was similar to the helmets worn by SS troops.

At the time, a UKIP spokesman it would be an “outrageous slur” to suggest any Nazi link, adding that Mitchelson had worn several pieces of military headgear from Coburn’s large collection.

He added: “This is someone who has served the country in uniform in Bosnia and Afghanistan.”

It has now emerged Mitchelson is contesting the Fife marginal won by Scottish Labour deputy leader Lesley Laird in 2017.

Mitchelson is listed as the election agent for Mitch William, but both men are the same person. Candidates are allowed to use commonly known forenames and surnames on the ballot paper.

Mitchelson has used his real name in previous elections.

A spokesperson for Fife Council said: “Mr Mitchelson is standing under his commonly used name of “Mitch Williams”

“However, there’s no such provision for agents in relation to commonly used names - they must give their full names, which he has done.

“As a result he will appear on the ballot paper with one name but is on the list of agents under a different name.”

A spokesman for the Brexit Party said: “‘Mitch’ is what the candidate is known as. William is a middle name. Our lawyers tell us it is not uncommon to use a name other than that on one’s birth certificate.”

The spokesman denied Mitchelson is using "Mitch William" because he was embarrassed by the 2017 story.

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