SNP members of the party's Dalkeith branch have voted in favour of a 'motion of censure' against Angus Robertson which called for his sacking from the government, The Herald can reveal.

The embattled external affairs secretary has faced a series of calls for him to resign in relation to his talks with Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK Daniela Grudsky earlier this month.

The motion - which is not a matter for the party conference to formally discuss - argues that his actions brought "the party into disrepute", were "detrimental to the independence movement" and that he should be investigated by the SNP’s conduct committee.

It was passed by members on Tuesday night with the motion then sent to National Secretary Lorna Finn for consideration on what action to take.

READ MORE: Analysis: Swinney faces SNP in crisis as conference looms

Ms Finn can decide whether to refer the matter to the party's conduct committee to investigate.

Should she do so it could be difficult for Mr Robertson to remain a member of the cabinet while inquiries by the party are ongoing.

Earlier this week Ms Finn expressed her opposition to the meeting between Mr Robertson and Ms Grudsky and a separate one between John Mason and Ms Grudsky. The SNP announced on Saturday that the party had removed the whip from Mr Mason for comments he made on social media the previous evening.

On Saturday, Ms Finn wrote: "Disappointment doesn't begin to cover how I feel about a minister and backbench MSP from my party meeting Israel's Depute Ambassador. In the midst of a genocide it is unconscionable and lends legitimacy to the action's of Netenyahu's government.

READ MORE: Robertson 'still a liability' says SNP MSP after apology

"Regardless of the intent the pictures speak a thousand words. Language and tone used in tweets around what "Israel hopes to achieve in Gaza" is deeply troubling. I hope much soul searching is going on today at all levels."

The motion of censure states that action should be taken because Mr Robertson held the meeting despite the International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest court, having ruled last month that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories was unlawful.

It also argues that the fact that areas of co-operation to benefit both Scotland and Israel were discussed went against the court’s recommendation that states avoid any action, including aid or assistance, that would help to maintain the present situation.

It highlights “impassioned” speeches at last year’s conference by the then First Minister Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla, a councillor in Dundee whose parents Elizabeth and Maged were trapped in Gaza after Israel attacked in response to the October 7 assault by Hamas.

(Image: PA)

“The SNP has led on condemnation of these actions in Gaza and the public trust us to take a moral standpoint,” the motion says. “The SNP leadership must at all times follow and reflect the wishes of its members as expressed at conference.

“To agree to a meeting for any purpose, other than to singularly condemn the actions of the current government within Israel, is a breach of that trust, trust placed in the hands of senior ministers by both party members and the electorate.”

The motion in full reads: "This motion of censure is presented against Angus Robertson, cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and Culture in response to actions this branch believes are detrimental to the Independence movement.

"Grounds for Censure:

1. Angus Robertson met with Daniela Grudsky, Israel’s Deputy Ambassador on 08/08/2024.

2. Deputy Ambassador Grudsky described the purpose of this meeting to explore “commonalities with Scotland” and “opportunities for cultural and economic co-operations in the fields of energy etc.”

READ MORE: Humza Yousaf says relatives 'forced to flee homes in Gaza Strip'

3. On 19/07/2024 the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel practices apartheid and segregation. The ICJ further stated there is a duty on all states not to cooperate with and to act against these practices.

4. The Scottish Government decision to agree to the meeting request clearly ignores the ICJ obligation.

"Summary of Failures:

Conference made very well clear, after an impassioned speech by former First Minister Humza Yousaf and Cllr Nadia El-Nakia that the party condemns the actions of the IDF in Gaza.

The SNP has led on condemnation of these actions in Gaza and the public trust us to take a moral standpoint.

The SNP leadership must at all times follow and reflect the wishes of its members as expressed at conference.

To agree to a meeting for any purpose, other than to singularity condemn the actions of the current government within Israel, is a breach of that trust, trust placed in the hands of senior ministers by both party members and the electorate.

Demands:

It is imperative that immediate corrective actions are taken to restore trust and integrity.

1. This branch believes that the cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture should be referred by the party's National Secretary to the member conduct committee for bringing the party into disrepute.

2. We believe he cannot continue in his role as minister meantime and ask that he be suspended pending investigation from his role within the Scottish Government."

Following a wave of criticism from MPs, MSPs and members - including calls for his sacking from his government role - Mr Robertson apologised on Monday for not limiting the meeting with Ms Grudsky "to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region."

But he told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland (GMS) programme yesterday he had not considered resigning his position and said he believed it was "right" to communicate the Scottish Government's opposition to the conflict in Gaza.

He said issues which did not relate to the war were raised by Ms Grudsky, including energy, tourism and economic co-operation.

He told the radio programme: "That meeting was not an appropriate space or time for that meeting to take place."

Mr Robertson has faced criticism from within his own Holyrood party, with long serving MSP Christine Grahame telling The Herald on Tuesday - after his apology - that he was a "liability", that he had shown "poor judgment" and had "contaminated" the party's position on Gaza.

SNP MP Ruth Maguire told The Herald on Monday she shared the "anger" felt by party members in relation to the meeting.

Mr Robertson was asked if he had considered his position in the cabinet following the backlash.

He told GMS: "No, I haven't because I think it was right to communicate the message that we did.

"But I have reflected very strongly on the impact that it has created and the impression that was created, which is why I issued the apology yesterday.

"I most certainly did not want to create an impression that there was a normalisation of relations between the Scottish Government and the Israeli government when there is not."

The Scottish Government has suspended any further meetings with the Israeli government until peace progress has been made.

That decision provoked criticism of the SNP by Colin Cowan whose brother Bernard was among those killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7.

Following the attacks, Israel launched an offensive on Gaza which has led to the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians and led to a charge of genocide being filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.

Dismissing concerns that the country may be in breach of the United Nations genocide convention, Mr Mason wrote: "If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed ten times as many."

The SNP has been approached for comment.