Former SNP political strategist warns Humza Yusuf that 'clock is ticking' to restore party unity

Humza Yusuf took over as First Minister after a tense struggle for leadership. Photo: Getty Images. bathroom» led by Humza Yusaf, warned her former chief political strategist.

Murray Foote told the party leader that internal discipline was rapidly breaking down and he needed to «flick the whip» to restore order.

p>He said that doing nothing now would cause the SNP to lose the next general election, throwing away its dream of independence.

The warning came after a difficult few months for a nationalist movement embroiled in a financial scandal.

Mr Yousaf took over as first minister in March after a tense leadership struggle sparked open war between the rival wings of the SNP.

This means the «clock is ticking» to restore party unity, which began to crumble after Mr. Foote warned of Nicola Sturgeon's resignation.

Murray Foote, a former SNP political strategist, told the party leader that internal discipline was rapidly eroding. Credit: STV/BBC

“The SNP had more leaks than a cowboy plumber's bathroom. This is a gift to the political opposition to the party,” he wrote in the Daily Record.

“The First Minister will no doubt recognize this, and he will be equally aware of a different political reality…the public does not want to vote for divided parties.”

He said the SNP's leadership group needed to find a mechanism to restore the party's unity, adding, “Attention needs to be paid to the behavior of politicians who mistakenly believe they are bigger than the party. The clock is ticking.»

He named Fergus Ewing, a powerful Member of Parliament and former Cabinet Secretary, as an example of a member who needed to be cracked down on.

During a recent debate in Holyrood Mr. Ewing tore apart a copy of the consultation form on the SNP's controversial no-fishing plans.

Mr Foote said: «If a few elected members in Holyrood and Westminster refuse to look after themselves, management will have no choice but to impose discipline.»

serious questions over a police investigation into the use of independence referendum funds.

Ms Sturgeon was forced to resign after her husband, Peter Murrell, a former chief executive, was arrested for “ £600,000 missing.

Her successor Mr Yousaf has struggled to restore unity as the party's two heavyweights clashed publicly last month.

Ian Blackford, the former leader of the Westminster Group, said members needed to «come together» after the election of a new first minister.

But Joanna Cherry, a senior SNP MP, hit back and said the party should acknowledge its problems and change before she can reunite.