JOANNA Cherry will be replaced by two MPs after losingher frontbench role in a reshuffle of the SNP's Westminster team.
Ian Blackford MP announced a change to the key roles in a surprise announcement this afternoon.
Cherry, who was the party's home affairs spokesperson at Westminster, will now be replaced by Stuart McDonald and Anne McLaughlin.
McDonald has been appointed as the shadow home secretary, while McLaughlin is taking on the post of shadow secretary of state for justice and immigration.
Blackford said the reshuffle would draw on new talent and ensure the SNP has the best possible team in Westminster as Scotland faces the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit.
He did not mention Cherry's demotion in his statement announcing the reshuffle.
He welcomed four new additions to his front bench: Patricia Gibson MP as shadow spokesperson for housing, communities and local government; Angela Crawley MP as shadow spokesperson for the Attorney General; Richard Thomson MP as shadow spokesperson for Northern Ireland; and Stephen Flynn MP as shadow spokesperson for business.
READ MORE: SNP sack Joanna Cherry from Westminster frontbench team
Blackford said: "We have a wealth of talent and experience and this reshuffle of SNP MPs ensures we are in the best possible position to hold the UK Government to account during this global pandemic and the aftermath of Brexit, to support colleagues ahead of the Scottish elections, and to deliver independence.
"Team working and cooperation are key to ensure results and this reshuffle will give us a strong team to take us forward. We have an incredibly hard-working group of MPs - I thank them all for their commitment and congratulate those in new positions.
"I was pleased to welcome four MPs to the front bench; Patricia Gibson MP, Angela Crawley MP, Richard Thomson MP and Stephen Flynn MP.
"I would like to thank Tommy Sheppard for his work as shadow spokesperson for the Cabinet Office and I congratulate him on his new role as the SNP's shadow spokesperson for constitutional affairs.
"Neil Gray MP will coordinate our inclusion and wellbeing team before he steps down as a MP and seeks election to the Scottish Parliament. I thank him for all his work and wish him the very best.
"We are at a crucial time in politics. Never before have we faced a challenge as great as the global pandemic, and Scotland is acutely feeling the ramifications of leaving the European Union. With the Scottish elections on the horizon and independence in touching distance, our new team is ready to work hard for Scotland."
Cherry has been highly critical of the SNP's previous ruling body over its decision to change the party's rule on the dual mandate, which made it harder for MPs to stand for election to Holyrood.
She had made secret of want to put herself forward for Edinburgh Central in the spring election. However, she pulled out of the race after the rule change.
Cherry had also called for Alex Salmond to be allowed back in the party and had wanted the party to do more to bring about a second independence referendum.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel