SNP MP denies leadership challenge against Westminster leader Ian Blackford

An SNP MP has shot down claims he planned to oust his party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford.

Stephen Flynn, who was first elected to the Commons in 2019, confirmed he had “no intentions” of launching a leadership challenge.

Reports in The Times newspaper had said Mr Blackford had been trying to quash the potential coup.

It had been reported that Mr Flynn, an Aberdeen South MP, told senior party officials he had the backing of enough SNP MPs to take on Mr Blackford.

But the party’s Westminster energy spokesperson dismissed the claims, writing on Twitter: “As much as I love seeing photos from the days when I was still clinging on to some hair, I can confirm I have no intention of standing.”

The Westminster SNP leader had faced increased scrutiny in recent months following criticism of his handling of sexual harassment allegations against Patrick Grady.

Mr Grady was suspended from the Commons for two days in July after an independent investigation found he had acted inappropriately towards an SNP staffer in 2016