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| Flynn will not seek dual mandate to become MSP | Flynn will not seek dual mandate to become MSP |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Stephen Flynn represents Aberdeen South at Westminster | Stephen Flynn represents Aberdeen South at Westminster |
| SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn says he will not seek a dual mandate to stand as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament while remaining an MP. | SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn says he will not seek a dual mandate to stand as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament while remaining an MP. |
| Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South in the House of Commons, said: “Hands up, I’ve got this one wrong." | Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South in the House of Commons, said: “Hands up, I’ve got this one wrong." |
| He previously said he would aim to hold his Westminster seat until the next general election, due in 2029, but would not accept two salaries. | He previously said he would aim to hold his Westminster seat until the next general election, due in 2029, but would not accept two salaries. |
| The Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat at Holyrood is currently held by the SNP's Audrey Nicoll. | The Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat at Holyrood is currently held by the SNP's Audrey Nicoll. |
| Flynn said he had sought a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but it did not change the fact he had got it wrong. | Flynn said he had sought a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but it did not change the fact he had got it wrong. |
| He said: “My aim to save the public purse from unnecessary strain by potentially overlapping the role of an MP and an MSP for a short period until the next general Election was genuine in its intent. | He said: “My aim to save the public purse from unnecessary strain by potentially overlapping the role of an MP and an MSP for a short period until the next general Election was genuine in its intent. |
| “Alongside all SNP members, I now look forward to assessing the new candidate selection rules that my party will put in place.” | “Alongside all SNP members, I now look forward to assessing the new candidate selection rules that my party will put in place.” |
| Stephen Flynn with SNP leader John Swinney | Stephen Flynn with SNP leader John Swinney |
| Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton described Flynn's decision as "a humiliating U-turn". | |
| She added: "His plans were typical of arrogant SNP politicians who think there should be one rule for them and another for everyone else. | |
| “However, even people in his own party saw right through his rank hypocrisy and made their feelings known." | |
| Flynn's intention to stand had caused anger within his party. | Flynn's intention to stand had caused anger within his party. |
| Ahead of the 2021 election, the SNP changed internal rules to require MPs to resign their seat at Westminster to fight for selection to Holyrood. | Ahead of the 2021 election, the SNP changed internal rules to require MPs to resign their seat at Westminster to fight for selection to Holyrood. |
| The party's ruling body - the National Executive Committee (NEC) - could decide to scrap the rule for contests ahead of 2026. | The party's ruling body - the National Executive Committee (NEC) - could decide to scrap the rule for contests ahead of 2026. |
| First Minister John Swinney said last week that the SNP had yet to make a decision on whether its politicians could hold a dual mandate - where a single person sits in both Westminster and Holyrood. | First Minister John Swinney said last week that the SNP had yet to make a decision on whether its politicians could hold a dual mandate - where a single person sits in both Westminster and Holyrood. |
| Swinney, who held seats at both Westminster and Holyrood between 1999 and 2001, told BBC Scotland News: "We’ve had times in the past when we’ve had dual mandates - I had a dual mandate myself for two years in the early days of devolution. | Swinney, who held seats at both Westminster and Holyrood between 1999 and 2001, told BBC Scotland News: "We’ve had times in the past when we’ve had dual mandates - I had a dual mandate myself for two years in the early days of devolution. |
| “The party has got to come to its conclusions about these particular issues and it will do in the fullness of time.” | “The party has got to come to its conclusions about these particular issues and it will do in the fullness of time.” |