Outspoken Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus to lose SNP whip after rebellions, according to reports
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Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing is set to lose the SNP whip, according to media reports.
It follows a series of rebellions against the Scottish Government and repeated criticism of Humza Yousaf’s policies. as reported by The Times.
The veteran politician has been highly critical of the failure to dual the A9 trunk road and a vocal opponent of coalition between the SNP and the Scottish Greens.
- 'I will no longer be able to support this government without A9 progress,' says Fergus Ewing
- Watch: Fergus Ewing tears up Highly Protected Marine Areas consultation
- Time for the Highlands to get more of the transport budget
Mr Ewing has also opposed fishing quotas under Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), ripping up a copy of the consultation in Holyrood.
He has also hinted he will vote against the Scottish government on Wednesday, when the Conservatives lead a debate on controversial new licences for short-term lets.
Changes to rules mean anyone renting out a room or property has to apply for a licence by October and meet safety and insurance standards. Local authorities can add their own conditions, meaning rules can change from place to place.
After winning MSP of the Year Award at the Holyrood Magazine garden party on Thursday evening, Mr Ewing appeared to accept that he faced being expelled from the party, according to various media reports.
He has been elected to the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and has previously served as a Scottish Government minister and later a cabinet minister from 2011-2021.
Angus MacNeil, the MP for the Western Isles, was recently expelled from the SNP after he refused to rejoin after being suspended over a bust-up with the party's chief whip at Westminster.
