SNP: Stephen Flynn fires chief whip as senior MP Pete Wishart says he’s ‘confused’ by changes in resignation letter

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The newly appointed SNP leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, has sacked the party’s chairman, with a senior MP saying he is “confused” by the changes as divisions come out into the open.

Owen Thompson has been replaced as the party’s chief whip at Westminster in a surprise first move by Mr Flynn as he overhauls the front bench for the group in the House of Commons. Instead, the understudy role was given to Martin Docherty-Hughes, Western MP for Dunbartonshire.

The move comes as Flynn sent an email to SNP MPs confirming he was putting together a “new team” over the coming days as he seeks to seal his authority and start a tactical shift in Westminster.

The change was confirmed as Pete Wishart, the SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, announced his resignation from the party’s front bench in a crucial speech.

New SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn. Photo: Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament

Mr Wishart, who was first elected to Westminster in 2001, has resigned as spokesperson for DEFRA.

Mr Wishart said in the letter: “We never had the opportunity to discuss your plans for the group, neither when you were polling for a leadership challenge, nor at any time during the very short campaign for the leadership itself.

“I note that you are hoping for positive change in the way the Group is run and that you would like to reset the relationship with colleagues in the Scottish Government and Parliament… I remain confused as to why you feel we should look for a change in our leadership, particularly when we see the poll Yesterday, which shows support for independence at an all-time high and support for the Scottish National Party in Westminster at an unprecedented 51 per cent.

Change of this importance is usually accompanied by failure, while we only look at continued and growing success as a movement and a party. I’m sure this is something that will become clear to me as you drive.

“I also look forward to learning firsthand what you hope to do differently in the day-to-day running of the group.”

However, the MP for Perth and Perthshire North said Mr Flynn had his “full support”, adding “I will remain at your service if you wish to make use of my experience in the Westminster Collection.”

In response to the letter, Mr. Flynn thanked Mr. Wishart for his “exemplary service” on the SNP front bench.

He added: “As always, my door remains open and I look forward to working with you as we support colleagues at Holyrood, hold the Tories accountable and work towards independence.”

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