SNP in crisis

Independence is certainly taking its toll on Scottish National Party unity. The first crack was the election of Keith Brown as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy. He wants indyref2 as soon as possible, she doesn’t.

Ms Sturgeon may have succeeded in minimising this attack on her authority but Alex Salmond saw his dream of independence disappearing so he put his hat in the ring with his legal challenge to the Scottish Government. We now see his friend, SNP MP Angus Macneil, shoring up Mr Salmond with regard to his Russian television show and against the advice of the majority of the party. The splits are widening, with the background of a final push for independence before the SNP lose control over Holyrood in 2021. The October SNP conference will be very interesting even if Mr Salmond is no longer a member, as his influence will obviously be felt.

GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow

SNP leader at Westminster Ian Blackford had no reservation in condemning Russia for the “act of state terrorism” in apparently sending two military intelligence agents into the UK to attempt to kill an exrussian spy and how the RT channel must be viewed as a tool of the Russian state. However, MSP MP Angus Macneil had quite a different view and could see no problem in exleader Alex Salmond continuing to work with the channel.

This is a clear indication of the serious split in the SNP party between those who support Mr Salmond and those who don’t.

DENNIS FORBES GRATTAN

Mugiemoss Road Bucksburn, Aberdeen