SNP RESHUFFLE SEES PORT GLASGOW WOMAN TAKE OVER JUSTICE BRIEF

THE SNP have reshuffled their front bench team at Westminster in preparation for one of the most important election periods in Scotland's and possibly the UK's, history.

Joanna Cherry, who represents Edinburgh South West, was thanked for her service as the party's shadow justice and home affairs spokeswoman, with the brief now being passed on to Glasgow North East MP Anne McLaughlin, who was previously spokeswomen for Women and Equalities.

Ms McLaughlin, an SNP stalwart for years, has enjoyed a fairly successful period of late, with much of her early career spent ruing near misses in elections. Party colleagues and friends have been online saying how glad they are for the Port Glasgow woman.

Stuart McDonald, MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East, will take on home affairs.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard lost his role as the party's shadow spokesman for the Cabinet Office. He will now be its shadow spokesman for constitutional affairs.

Congratulations have been sent to many of the newly promoted MPs by some of their predecessors, but Edinburgh South MP Joanna Cherry, chose instead to release public statements via her social media account saying how hard done by she feels.

"Some are more interested in winning their latest Twitter spat, than in fighting for the country's independence"

The latest development has been said to have shown up some rifts within the SNP, which was once renowned for its unity, but is now being riven with division by members, who one party grandee yesterday said, "were more interested in winning their latest Twitter spat, and enhancing their own social media image, than in fighting for their constituents or for the country's independence". 

Another party source said: "It's not surprising that Joanna has chosen to continue with the victim theme rather than supporting colleagues who have an exciting chance to cover the brief.

"At every turn she has played the victim card and people are now getting tired with it. It's not all about Joanna, or any of the other big egos that fancy themselves as the latest would be cult figure." 

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the reshuffle draws on new talent and ensures the party has the best possible team in Westminster as Scotland faces the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit.

There are four new additions to the party's front bench: Patricia Gibson as shadow spokesperson for housing, communities and local government; Angela Crawley as shadow spokesperson for the attorney general; Richard Thomson as shadow spokesperson for Northern Ireland and Stephen Flynn as shadow spokesperson for business, energy and industrial strategy.

Mr Blackford said: "We have a wealth of talent and experience and this reshuffle of SNP MPs ensures we are in the best possible position to hold the UK government to account during this global pandemic and the aftermath of Brexit, to support colleagues ahead of the Scottish elections, and to deliver independence. 

"Team working and cooperation are key to ensure results and this reshuffle will give us a strong team to take us forward.

"We have an incredibly hard-working group of MPs - I thank them all for their commitment and congratulate those in new positions. 

"I was pleased to welcome four MPs to the front bench; Patricia Gibson MP, Angela Crawley MP, Richard Thomson MP and Stephen Flynn MP.  

"I would like to thank Tommy Sheppard for his work as shadow spokesperson for the Cabinet Office and I congratulate him on his new role as the SNP's shadow spokesperson for constitutional affairs. 

"Neil Gray MP will coordinate our inclusion and wellbeing team before he steps down as a MP and seeks election to the Scottish Parliament. I thank him for all his work and wish him the very best. 

"We are at a crucial time in politics. Never before have we faced a challenge as great as the global pandemic, and Scotland is acutely feeling the ramifications of leaving the European Union.

"With the Scottish elections on the horizon and independence in touching distance, our new team is ready to work hard for Scotland."