SNP MP Angus MacNeil has whip suspended for a week

The suspension was reportedly the consequence of a row between Mr MacNeil and the party’s chief whip, Brendan O’Hara.
Angus MacNeil is reported to have had a row with the party’s chief whip at Westminster (PA)
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Craig Paton5 July 2023
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SNP MP Angus MacNeil has had the whip suspended for a week after a reported row with a fellow MP.

The Western Isles MP, who has been an outspoken critic of the leadership of both Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, was suspended by Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, and will sit as an independent until the end of the sanction.

The Times has reported the suspension was as a result of a row between Mr MacNeil and the party’s chief whip, Brendan O’Hara.

Responding to his suspension, Mr MacNeil told STV News: “Stephen has his views and I have mine but, as leader, he has his own pressures to balance and I accept the decision he has taken.”

On Tuesday, Mr MacNeil cryptically tweeted about standing up to “bullies”, saying: “General advice – Always stand up to bullies, – esp any abusing their positions – particularly those who scurry around shouting to anyone listening, “I’ll get him, I’ll get him, I WILL get him! – mark my words”

“These are people, who from school, we should get taught to face down.”

It is understood that the suspension only impacts Mr MacNeil’s status within the SNP Westminster group and not his membership of the SNP.

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