SNP members are less independent than my sheep, says expelled MP

Angus MacNeil will continue to serve in Parliament as an independent MP working with the Alba party. Photo: UK Parliament

An MP who was recently expelled from the SNP compared party members to mindless sheep and accused Nicola Sturgeon's leadership of «intolerance.»

Angus MacNeil said too many party members were following political lines, dictated by the former First Minister, whom he called the “high shepherd” without “thinking it through.”

The Western Isles MP and farmer told Holyrood magazine: “Sometimes the sheep I tend here at home [on Barra] demonstrate greater independence of thought than the SNP.

“If more of my sheep were as compliant as some SNP politicians, being a shepherd would be a lot easier.” He also said he was «in a much better position politically without being in the Scottish National Party.»

Mr McNeil, who was one of the Scottish National Party's longest-serving MPs, was suspended from its Westminster group earlier this year amid reports of a bitter row with party chief Brendan O'Hara.

In a letter published on social media in July following his suspension, Mr McNeil said he would not join the SNP group until it was clear they were «committed to independence».

The party confirmed that Mr. McNeil was expelled after violating their code. behavior. He is now an independent MP in the House of Commons.

Left the SNP

He has promised to work with the two Alba MPs, led by Alex Salmond, Neil Hanvey and Kenny MacAskill, who have defected from the SNP.

The MP told Holyrood he was «disappointed» by the «inaction». on independence» under Ms Sturgeon's leadership, suggesting the party had taken a «self-destructive position».

He said: «I have seen it become more and more intolerant of anyone's point of view or not was inclusive, then I saw that it was having a detrimental effect on our movement.

“There were no checks in the arguments with Nicola, so I think she has been caught off guard in a lot of things lately.” He also called on the party to «take independence seriously».

Ms Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, were arrested by police investigating the party's finances and their home was seized search.

A luxury mobile home was seized from near his elderly mother's home. They were released without charge pending further inquiries and Ms Sturgeon said she was innocent of any wrongdoing.

The SNP has been approached for comment.