SNP MP who defected to Tory side threw 'quite a strange tantrum', party president says

Dr Cameron said she was shunned by colleagues and sought counseling after standing up for a young staff member. Photo: Jamie Williamson

The SNP president has described the defection of one of the party's MPs to the Conservatives as a «bizarre tantrum».

Lisa Cameron announced on Thursday she would switch sides, blaming the Westminster group for a «toxic» culture Scottish National Party.

Dr Cameron said she sought counseling after she came to the defense of a young staff member who was being harassed by MP Patrick Grady, claiming she was being shunned by colleagues.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Friday, Scottish National Party president Mike Russell described the move as «bizarre».

He said: «The Scottish National Party needs to focus on the important issues in Scotland, not what it seems to be quite a strange tantrum from a man who was about to lose his nomination.»

Dr Cameron faced a selection battle for her seat of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow from SNP fellow Grant Costello, who was supported by both Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie and current and former East Kilbride MPs Collette Stevenson and Linda Fabiani.

The election results were due to be announced on Thursday, hours after Dr Cameron announced she would leave the party.

Ms Russell continued: “It was absolutely clear that the constituency party had lost faith in her. , and I believe that such self-interested politics are deeply unattractive.»

«Unfounded allegations»

On Thursday, First Minister Humza Yousaf played down the defection, telling the PA news agency it was the «least surprising news» he had heard since taking the top job earlier this year, as he said Dr Cameron was «likely , never believed» in Scottish independence.

Both the First Minister and Mr Russell said Dr Cameron should resign and force a by-election.

Mr Russell also rejected claims that the country has a toxic culture. The party's Westminster group said: «I do not agree with these allegations.

«I think they are allegations, but I think they are unfounded allegations.»

He went on to say that “has no idea” whether Dr Cameron sought advice as a result of her treatment at the Westminster group, adding: “I’m sorry that’s the case, but I don’t believe it – of course. as far as I heard, the only reason for this had something to do with the Westminster SNP group.

“I have to say that I have the greatest sympathy for anyone in these circumstances, but their claims about how they came about… that claim unfortunately needs to be verified and I do not believe there is a toxic culture in our country . Westminster Group.» Speaking on the same programme, Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy criticized Mr Russell's comments.

He said, “I listened to Mike Russell on your program this morning. , dismissing the concerns raised by Lisa Cameron in the most capricious way, dismissing the fact that there is a toxic culture within the Scottish National Party, despite the fact that I think everyone can see it naked.»

Asked whether Dr Cameron's decision to leave a leading pro-independence party for a leading pro-union party was «bizarre», Mr Hoy said it was not, and that he was “glad” that she crossed the platform.

Asked whether Dr Cameron still supported independence, Mr Hoy said: «To join the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party you have to admit that you believe in four parts of the UK moving and working together.»

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Senior SNP MP Stuart MacDonald was later asked about Dr Cameron in an interview on the Scotsman's Steamie podcast and said he also did not accept her allegations against the party.

“Lisa has been under escape surveillance for some time… I'm going back to pre-Covid,” he said.

“Seeing the escape to Tori, this was classified information that was openly joked about, and more in the Scottish National Party. I think it actually had to do with the fact that she was going to get the benefit of the doubt in her selection.»

Mr Macdonald said the deselection of Dr Cameron would have happened sooner if the process had not been shortened due to the last two elections. were called quickly.

«Lisa is probably just one step closer to her dream of a seat in the House of Lords,» Mr Macdonald added.

Mr Hoy then replied: “This is significant.” that a senior SNP MP would rather ridicule and smear Lisa Cameron than address the toxic culture within the Westminster group that she and other former colleagues have repeatedly highlighted.

“Stuart Macdonald's bitter remarks only highlight how wise she was Lisa to leave the SNP in favor of the Conservative Party.»