THE SNP's only female MP has defended the party's Westminster leader after he was accused of running a “boys’ brigade” in Westminster.
Kirsty Blackman responded to the claims which came after reports Stephen Flynn had drawn up an all-women "hit list" of SNP MSPs to oust before the Holyrood election.
The Aberdeen North MP currently serves as the SNP Chief Whip.
Party insiders said they were unsurprised by reports the Westminster leader had identified a group of five women he wanted to eliminate from the Scottish Parliament to make room for ex-MPs.
The National spoke with SNP figures who said they felt MSPs were under “pressure” and believed the story was “legit”.
However, Blackman responded to the allegations, branding them "completely made up nonsense".
In a post on social media, she said the focus of those who were briefing against Flynn to the media should "be on 2026, the Scottish people and delivering for Scotland".
Blackman said: "John Swinney has united the party and this type of briefing does everyone a disservice.
She added: "This 'boys' brigade' crap is not only miles away from who Stephen is and what he’s like to work with, but is mega offensive to folk like me.
"It needs to stop."
A similar warning was made to members about negative briefing to the press by Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Sommerville amid an internal row over Flynn’s intention to stand for Holyrood while retaining his Westminster seat in November last year.
She had urged figures within the party to “leave yer ego to the side”.
The alleged list – which features Karen Adam, Evelyn Tweed, Collette Stevenson, Jackie Dunbar and Emma Roddick – is not new, according to one SNP source.
A source close to the First Minister dismissed the original story’s claim that John Swinney backed Flynn’s alleged plot.
They said: "John Swinney has nothing to do with this. It would be surprising if he did given the whole purpose of his leadership is to bring people together."
Another insider said referring to Flynn and Swinney: “Those bridges have been burned I believe.”
