SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has abandoned his plan to seek a dual mandate to stand as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament.
The MP previously said he would aim to hold his Westminster seat until the next general election, due in 2029, but would not accept two salaries.
The Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat at Holyrood is currently held by the SNP's Audrey Nicoll.
Flynn said he had sought a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but it did not change the fact he had got it wrong.
He said: “Hands up, I’ve got this one wrong and won’t be pursuing a dual mandate.
“My aim to save the public purse from unnecessary strain by potentially overlapping the role of an MP and an MSP for a short period until the next General Election was genuine in its intent - but doing it for the right reasons doesn’t change the fact that I got it wrong.
“My motivation and central belief remains that Holyrood, as the heart of Scottish democracy, is the democratic platform that will drive the route to an independent Scotland. All of us in the independence movement share that common cause and want to be part of that story.
“Alongside all SNP members, I now look forward to assessing the new candidate selection rules that my party will put in place.”
READ MORE:
- Forbes: Flynn is 'exactly the kind of person' needed at Holyrood
- Stephen Flynn – the SNP’s Macbeth, a man of ambition unfit to lead
Ahead of the 2021 election, the SNP changed internal rules to require MPs to resign their seat at Westminster to fight for selection to Holyrood.
The party's ruling body - the National Executive Committee (NEC) - could decide to scrap the rule for contests ahead of 2026.
On Thursday morning, public finance minister and SNP MSP Ivan McKee spoke on BBC Radio Scotland, where he praised his colleague’s talent, but cautioned against working both jobs.
He said: “I think double-jobbing – working as an MP and an MSP – isn’t sustainable.
“I’ve got a full-time job as an MSP and a minister, I gave up work that I had, a consultancy and a directorship that I had that was paid work.
“I didn’t need to give it up when I came into Parliament, (but) I recognised that this was a full-time job that needs a full-time commitment.”
Asked if Mr Flynn should resign his Westminster seat – which overlaps with a portion of the constituency he was seeking at Holyrood – Mr McKee said: “I think Stephen’s got huge talent, he’s got a lot to offer to the party and the country in the years to come.
“I think you’ll know that the SNP is one of the most democratic parties, where members can stand to challenge sitting MSPs, and that applies to all of us.
“There was quite a number of those challenges in the last cycle, and that’s to be welcomed.
“Stephen has got every right to stand in a vacant seat or challenge another sitting member, of course he can, but as I say, I think the idea that you can do both those jobs and give them due attention is not sustainable.”
The Scottish Conservatives branded the move a “humiliating U-turn”.
Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “This is a humiliating U-turn for Stephen Flynn.
“His plans were typical of arrogant SNP politicians who think there should be one rule for them and another for everyone else.
“However, even people in his own party saw right through his rank hypocrisy and made their feelings known.
“The public deserve better than nationalists prioritising their own career options, rather than addressing what Scots are really concerned about.”
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