SNP MPs reselected for 54 seats in Scotland

THE SNP’s 54 MPs have been reselected as the party’s candidates in the general election.

The party will choose candidates for the remaining five Scottish constituencies by the end of the week, following consultation with local members.

Its national executive ruled yesterday that Natalie McGarry, pictured below, and Michelle Thomson, who were elected as SNP MPs but now sit as independent members, are not eligible for re-selection.

The party is also seeking candidates for the three Scottish seats it did not win in 2015.

Candidates will be chosen for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, held by Conservative MP and Scottish Secretary David Mundell, the Orkney and Shetland seat of Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, and Labour MP Ian Murray’s Edinburgh South seat.

Ms McGarry’s Glasgow East seat and Ms Thomson’s Edinburgh West seat will also be fought by new SNP candidates. Ms Thomson has already confirmed she will not contest the election as an independent.

Ms McGarry was charged by the police last year over allegations of fraud relating to missing funds from the group Women For Independence, and the SNP’s Glasgow Regional Association.

She resigned the SNP whip in 2015 and insisted there hadbeen no wrongdoing on her part.