The SNP’s president has described the defection of one of many occasion’s MPs to the Conservatives as an “odd tantrum”.
Lisa Cameron introduced on Thursday she would cross the ground, blaming a “poisonous” tradition within the SNP’s Westminster group.
Dr Cameron stated she had required counselling after standing up for the younger staffer harassed by MP Patrick Grady, claiming she was shunned by colleagues.
Talking to BBC Radio Scotland on Friday, SNP president Mike Russell stated the transfer was “weird”.
He stated: “What the SNP must do is concentrate on the large points in Scotland, not what appears to be a reasonably odd tantrum from any individual who was going to lose their nomination.”
Dr Cameron was going through a variety battle in her East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow seat from SNP staffer Grant Costello, who was supported by each Scottish Authorities minister Christina McKelvie and present and former East Kilbride MSPs Collette Stevenson and Linda Fabiani.
The result of the choice was attributable to be introduced on Thursday, hours after Dr Cameron revealed she would depart the occasion.
Ms Russell continued: “It was completely clear the constituency occasion had misplaced religion in her, and I believe that form of ego drive politics is deeply unattractive.”
The defection was downplayed by First Minister Humza Yousaf on Thursday, who advised the PA information company it was the “least shocking information” he had heard since taking the highest job earlier this yr as he stated Dr Cameron “in all probability by no means believed” in Scottish independence.
Each the First Minister and Mr Russell stated Dr Cameron ought to step down and pressure a by-election within the seat.
Mr Russell additionally rejected claims there was a poisonous tradition within the occasion’s Westminster group, saying: “I don’t agree with these claims.
“I believe these are claims however I believe these are unsubstantiated claims.”
He went on to say he had “no concept” if Dr Cameron sought counselling on account of her therapy by the hands of the Westminster group, including: “I’m sorry that’s the case, however I don’t consider – actually from what I’ve heard – that the only real motive for that was one thing to do with the Westminster SNP group.
“I’ve to say, I’ve the best sympathy for anyone in these circumstances, however their declare as to how they arose… that declare does need to be, regrettably, examined and I don’t consider there’s a poisonous tradition in our Westminster group.”
Showing on the identical programme, Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy hit out at Mr Russell’s feedback.
He stated: “I listened to Mike Russell this morning in your programme, dismissing the considerations that had been raised by Lisa Cameron in probably the most high-handed of how, dismissing the actual fact that there’s a poisonous tradition throughout the SNP, even though I believe everybody can see that laid naked.”
Requested if it was “weird” Dr Cameron selected to go away the main pro-independence occasion for the main pro-union occasion, Mr Hoy stated it was not, and that he was “delighted” she had crossed the ground.
Requested if Dr Cameron nonetheless helps independence, Mr Hoy stated:” To hitch the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Social gathering, you need to recognise that you just consider within the 4 constituent elements of the UK, shifting and dealing collectively.”
Later, senior SNP MP Stewart McDonald was requested about Dr Cameron in an interview with the Scotsman’s Steamie podcast, and he stated he additionally doesn’t recognise her prices in opposition to the occasion.
“Lisa, for a while, has been on defection watch… I’m going again pre-Covid,” he stated.
“Defection watch to the Tories, it was an brazenly joked about secret, and never simply within the SNP.
“I believe it’s actually all the way down to the truth that she was going to get horsed in her choice.”
Mr McDonald claimed Dr Cameron’s de-selection would have come sooner had the method not been truncated as a result of the final two elections had been known as rapidly.
“Lisa’s in all probability only one step nearer to her dream of a seat within the Home of Lords,” Mr McDonald added.
Mr Hoy then responded: “It’s telling {that a} senior SNP MP would reasonably sneer and smear Lisa Cameron than deal with the poisonous tradition throughout the Westminster group which she and different erstwhile colleagues have repeatedly highlighted.
“Stewart McDonald’s bitter remarks solely underline how smart Lisa was to go away the SNP for the Conservative Social gathering.”