An SNP minister was wrong to say his party had banned sitting MPs from running for Holyrood.
Jamie Hepburn told the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday the SNP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had ruled that “anyone seeking” election to Holyrood would be banned from doing so while they are still a member of the House of Commons.
He added that the party had the same position as it did at the 2021 election. But the NEC motion passed on Saturday does not mention sitting MPs being unable to stand for Holyrood they still hold their Westminster seat.
Labour MP Graeme Downie said: “When the SNP Business Manager doesn’t understand his own party’s rulebook, it is easy to see how they have mismanaged their own finances and Scotland’s public services for the last 17 years.”
Hepburn’s claim would have meant that SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn would have to resign his seat before trying to become an MSP – as Health Secretary Neil Gray did in 2021.
But the Record understands that the SNP is still to decide whether an MP running for Holyrood would have to stand down from Westminster before or after the election.
Hepburn told the Holyrood chamber on Tuesday: “On Saturday just past the executive committee of my party took a decision to put in place as part of its selection rules, a prohibition on anyone seeking to hold elected office to this place to be able to do so whilst simultaneously remaining elected to the House of Commons.
“That was the position it took at the 2021 election, it’s one it’s taken for the forthcoming election.”
But the motion passed by the SNP NEC said: “That NEC notes its clear position that no SNP Parliamentarian should serve in two Parliaments concurrently.
“The NEC welcomes the Scottish Parliament considering the matter of restricting dual mandates through the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill.
“The National Secretary will consider the result of stage 3 of the Bill and will return with suitable selection rules to ensure the NEC gives effect to its position in the selection rules should the legislation prove inadequate.”
The SNP was approached for comment.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, clickhere