Dave Doogan to seek SNP Westminster leadership if Stephen Flynn enters Holyrood

Dave Doogan is to seek the SNP leadership at Westminster if Stephen Flynn is elected to Holyrood.

Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South in the UK Parliament, has been approved as a candidate for next year’s Scottish Parliament election.

If successful, he will have to resign his Westminster seat, triggering a by-election.

He will also have to hand over the leadership of the nine-man SNP group in the House of Commons.

Doogan, the MP for Angus and Perthshire, has said he wants that job, telling The Courier: “I will certainly be putting my name forward.”

However, such a move is not expected to lead to a coronation, Doogan said: “We are not short of capable leadership in our admittedly small group. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if it goes to a contest.”

Flynn will run in Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine next year as incumbent Audrey Nicoll stands down.

Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr is amongst the other contenders for the seat.

Another SNP MP, Arbroath and Broughty Ferry’s Stephen Gethins, is also seeking a move to Holyrood and will stand in the Dundee City East race.

Doogan said their elections would make for a “welcome shot in the arm” for an SNP administration.

He said: “I’m very much hopeful that Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins will prevail in their campaigns to become MSPs.”