UNION bosses have called on the First Minister to intervene after what they dubbed a ‘despicable and vile anti-Semitic’ online attack.

A blog post was last night shared extensively on social media which referred to GMB Scotland organiser Rhea Wolfson's Jewish religion and referenced Mein Kampf, a book by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Now the union has said SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon must speak out against the anonymous blog, which was shared by elected representatives.

Ms Wolfson has been a leading figure in the recent equal pay industrial action in Glasgow.

GMB Scotland has now written to Ms Sturgeon asking her to intervene in her capacity as leader of the SNP and it has also sought the advice of its lawyers and Police Scotland with a view to future action.

Secretary Gary Smith said: “On behalf of our trade union, I have been left with no other course of action but to contact Nicola Sturgeon, our lawyers and the authorities about this calculated attack on our employee, and asking them to intervene in their own respective capacities.

"Not only was the content of this blog absolutely wrong on numerous levels but more importantly, the author specifically targeted a young woman in a manner that was laced with anti-Semitism and hate on cultural, gender, political, and trade union affiliation grounds - it was absolutely despicable and vile."

Mr Smith went on to call the issue a "widespread problem of online hatred."

He added: "A line has been crossed but let me be clear: The truth is it’s also a snapshot of a widespread problem of online hatred and intolerance that’s at best been left largely unchallenged and at worst is enabled by our politics.

"We must respond with some common purpose as to how we can credibly tackle this poisonous aspect of our political culture.

"We are sure Ms Sturgeon will agree with this, as will all elected representatives across our politics who respect the boundaries of what is decent and right, but everyone should be in no doubt that our union will vigorously defend our members, staff and its integrity against all attacks.”

An SNP party spokeswoman said: "The SNP is resolute in our unqualified condemnation of anti-Semitism in all its forms.

"The blog should not have been shared by any SNP member and Rhea Wolfson deserves a full apology from the author for the clear offence that has been caused. 

"We will assess any complaints of antisemitism using the IHRA definition and all examples."