Ex-SNP MP refuses to rejoin party until it’s ‘serious’ about independence

Humza Yousaf admits ‘challenging’ time for SNP

Newly-independent MP Angus Brendan MacNeil has publicly said he won’t try rejoining his old party until they get ‘serious’ about securing Scottish independence.

Mr MacNeil was sacked as an SNP MP last week after a major row with his party’s Chief Whip, in which it was reported he told Brendan O’Hara MP: “You’re a small wee man!” several times before throwing a “clutch” of letters at him.

Political website Guido Fawkes reported the Mr MacNeil’s anger had been prompted by the Chief Whip’s decision to send a series of “terse” letters to him.

While the SNP initially said he would get the whip back within a week, and be allowed to once again sit as a party MP, Mr MacNeil has now published an open letter saying he will not be re-joining the SNP MP group.

He says he needs to see his old party get “serious” about Scottish independence before he will re-join.

READ MORE: Fresh SNP chaos as MP suspended by Flynn after bust-up with chief whip

“I will only seek the SNP whip again if it is clear that the SNP are pursuing independence.

“At the moment, the SNP has become a brand name missing the key ingredient. The urgency for independence is absent.”

He says while he still disagrees with the behaviour of Brendan O’Hara, his decision is “not about the conduct of the Chief Whip”.

Mr MacNeil slammed the SNP Government in Holyrood, saying that following rejection by the Supreme Court last year, the party is “utterly clueless about how to pursue independence”.

He says his constituency is being made to ‘suffer’ by the lack of independence.

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“By 2050, Scotland’s neighbouring countries of Ireland, Iceland, Faroes, Norway and Denmark will all see population increases of between 10-32 percent.

“Scotland will suffer a decline of 2 perccent by 2050 with the Hebrides faring worst of all in Scotland.

“Clearly, there is a real cost to not being independent.”

He sets a timetable out that could lead to his rejoining the party in October, provided Humza Yousaf announces a change in directed at that month’s SNP conference.

“I will certainly be standing at the next election in Na h-Eileanan an lar on an independence platform and I hope after clarity on independence after the October conference that I will be standing for the SNP.”

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