Fergus Ewing will be represented by his lawyer at an internal SNP disciplinary hearing later today, reports suggest.
SNP MSPs are set to meet on Wednesday evening to discuss what disciplinary action to take against the former frontbencher for backing a no-confidence motion against Scottish Government Green minister Lorna Slater earlier this year.
The veteran MSP has frequently made the headlines in recent months due to his criticism of SNP policy, including opposition to the Bute House Agreement and the deposit return scheme. He has described the Greens – his party’s co-operation agreement partners – as “extremist” and "wine bar revolutionaries".
More recently, he joined the Tories in signing a letter to the First Minister calling for a pause to the short-term lets licensing scheme.
Now, The Times has claimed that his lawyer, John Campbell KC, will represent and speak for him. It is understood to be a first at an internal SNP disciplinary meeting.
]One of Scotland’s most senior lawyers, Campbell was also counsel for the Holyrood Inquiry.
Ewing was rumoured to be at risk of losing the whip earlier this summer, but any talk of action fell silent with the death of his mother Winnie, who was a legendary pro-independence figure.
