FORMER SNP MP Joanna Cherry has issued a statement after Stephen Flynn announced his bid to become an MSP.

The SNP’s Westminster leader said he intends to run for a seat in Holyrood at the 2026 election and wishes to stay on as an MP until the next general election.

In 2020, the SNP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) rewrote its rules to make it harder for sitting MPs to switch to Holyrood, forcing them to resign their seats to become candidates.

Stephen Flynn has said he believes these rules to be “election specific”.

Cherry previously ruled out standing for a seat at the previous Holyrood election as a result of the rule changes, which she described as “unreasonable”.

She had been planning to stand for Ruth Davidson’s Holyrood seat although Culture Secretary Angus Robertson had already announced his plans to bid for the candidacy.

Reacting to Flynn’s announcement on Twitter/X, Cherry said: “I wish Stephen well. The SNP badly need new blood at Holyrood.

(Image: Twitter/X)

“The rule against dual mandates introduced by the NEC in 2021 was not ‘election specific’. It was person specific.

“It served its purpose & I predict it will be removed.”

The SNP have yet to decide on the rules for the 2026 Holyrood elections. These will be decided by the party's NEC.

In a separate post, Cherry added: “One of the lessons that the SNP should learn from the rout suffered at the General Election is not to assume that peoples’ heads zip up the back.”

Elsewhere, SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick said: "Party members set this rule for good reasons. 

"Rightly, Douglas Ross was criticised for holding two roles simultaneously. I hope Stephen Flynn rethinks. 

"Can't imagine spending half my time in London & being a good MSP. Key that rules apply to everyone equally; men and women."

Writing on Twitter/X, former Alba MP Neale Hanvey said: "I like Stephen, he's undoubtedly a strong performer and maintained a good relationship with me despite the obvious instructions to shun @AlbaParty from on high.

"But after SNP blocking @joannaccherry from standing in 2021, this is frustratingly predictable and exposes how petty the leadership has been."

READ MORE: SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll speaks out on Stephen Flynn's bid to replace her

Former MSP Alex Neil also offered his verdict on the move, saying he believed Flynn should step down from Westminster in order to stand at Holyrood.

He said: “If Stephen wants to move to Holyrood, where his talents could be put to greater use, he should have to stand down from Westminster, just as Neil Gray had to do in 2021.”

Gray had been the MP for Airdrie and Shotts until 2021, but now serves as an MSP for the same area.

The SNP has been contacted for further comment.