THE SNP have denied reports Ian Blackford is facing a leadership challenge - accusing Labour of circulating "mischief" and rumours.
The Times reports Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn is looking to defenestrate the sitting Westminster leader of the party.
But Flynn took to social media to deny the report, saying he had no intention of standing.
Sources told the paper that Flynn had the backing of enough MPs to win a potential leadership contest and demote the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP.
Blackford has led the SNP down south since 2017 but could be forced out next month, The Times reports.
Flynn had reportedly tabled a motion for a leadership vote at next month's annual general meeting of the group.
An SNP source in the north-east said: "Ian Blackford and Stephen Flynn are both very well respected and capable politicians.
"It’s important internal democracy is allowed to take place without remarks of a 'coup' as Stephen Flynn has proven himself to be part of the new wave of fresh talent among the SNP’s ranks.
"Flynn would undoubtedly make an exceptional leader for the party in Westminster, particularly as someone who is from the north east and has proven himself to be of extraordinary talent, hardworking and focused on convincing people of the positive case of Scottish independence."
It will mark his appearance on BBC Question Time later tonight.
Flynn is reported to have been "on manoeuvres for some time", according to one anonymous MP quoted in The Times – with The National's sources backing this up.
There is reportedly disquiet within the SNP's Westminster group about Blackford's handling of the Patrick Grady scandal, in which MPs were encouraged to support the disgraced Glasgow North East MP who had been sanctioned by parliament for groping a junior staffer.
A leaked recording of a meeting of SNP MPs revealed Blackford had urged colleagues to rally around Grady - something for which he was later forced to apologise.
Grady - who is no longer in the SNP parliamentary group - was found by an independent investigation to have behaved inappropriately towards a member of staff at a party function in 2016 and suspended from Parliament for two days.
The victim was a teenager at the time.
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