A RISING star of the SNP has been accused of putting her party into disrepute in a series of damning complaints to headquarters.
Several concerns have been raised about the MP for Edinburgh South West, her activity on social media and support of suspended MP Neale Hanvey.
One of the complaints suggests Cherry's actions make the SNP look "regressive" while another states her behaviour is "nothing short of unacceptable".
The comments come in a devastating week for the SNP after finance minster Derek Mackay was forced to resign over messages he sent to a 16-year-old boy online.
READ MORE: Joanna Cherry: 'I'm not complaining I'm not Nicola's best mate'
The complaints against Cherry, sent to the party's national secretary Angus Macleod and to party headquarters, are understood to have been lodged by a fellow SNP member.
One of the complaints states that "Joanna's actions are repeatedly going against the manifesto upon which she stood at the GE last year, and this is bringing the party into disrepute amongst the progressive voters that we should be aiming to win".
It also criticises her stance on the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) reform proposals, which have caused a split among the SNP and generated toxic debate around women's rights and transgender rights.
Another complaint, sent in January, states: "I love this party, and I truly feel at home here, but there are a couple of parliamentarians, both in Westminster and Holyrood, with whom there is a very real issue.
"Joanna Cherry MP regularly uses her public Twitter account to speak about trans people, as is her right, but I firmly believe that her beliefs are in direct contradiction with several parts of the LGBTI Manifesto upon which she was elected just over one month ago.
"The manifesto clearly outlines that a vote for the SNP, and by extension Joanna Cherry, is a vote to advance LGBTI equality, and yet Joanna repeatedly and publicly has worked against this goal. She does not seek to advance the rights of trans people, and is open about this.
"Further to this, the Manifesto is explicit in its goals of securing equality and human rights for trans people. As someone who has worked with many trans people, this would (and should) be considered as granting them the basic dignity and respect of using their pronouns, and their preferred name. Joanna has repeatedly shown that she has no intention of doing so."
Along with the MP's social media comments regarding GRA reforms and transgender rights, the complainer has also raised concerns about Cherry's support of Neale Hanvey, who was suspended following the general election for making comments online which were considered anti-Semitic.
READ MORE: Joanna Cherry condemns 'grooming behaviour' in wake of Derek Mackay scandal
The complaint states that Cherry "praised a suspended member of the party for their maiden speech in the House of Commons. While the speech may have chimed with Joanna’s personal view, praising someone that has been suspended for anti-Semitism on Holocaust Memorial Day is nothing short of unacceptable.
"Joanna’s excuse was that Neale Hanvey had only been 'accused' of anti-Semitism, but by Neale’s own admission in his statement responding to the allegations he takes full responsibility for his actions and apologises for letting the First Minister down."
It adds: "...She continues to bring the party into disrepute and go against our commitments at the last general election.
The row is just the latest in a week of chaos for the SNP, following the shock resignation of finance minister Derek Mackay on Thursday morning.
The MSP sent some 270 messages to a 16-year-old boy over six months, including some telling him he was cute and others offering to take him for dinner and to a rugby match.
Our sister paper The Herald also revealed that Nicola Sturgeon had warned the shamed ex-minister to stay away from drinking sessions during the party's annual conferences, and advised him not to attend the conference karaoke evenings either.
It is understood concerns had been raised about his behaviour and conduct at the events, prompting the First Minister to step in.
Several party members also told of how they had received messages from the MSP late at night, asking what they were doing or commenting on their appearance.
An SNP spokesman said that they were unable to respond to the concerns raised in the complaints.
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