AN SNP MP has announced his intention to stand in next year's Holyrood election.
Stephen Gethins, the current MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, said he would be running in the Dundee City East seat, which is currently held by Finance Secretary Shona Robison.
Robison announced earlier this month that she would not be seeking re-election, saying that "now is the right time for me to take on some new challenges and contribute to public life in a different way".
Gethins is one of three current SNP MPs who have passed the party's internal vetting process, allowing them to stand as a candidate. The other candidates are SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Angus MP Dave Doogan.
Gethins told The Courier he was "disappointed" to hear Robison was stepping down from Holyrood, as he said: "She has been an outstanding local MSP and minister."
He continued: "Since that announcement I have been touched by the number of local members who have encouraged me to stand.
"I have let local office bearers know that I am putting my name forward for consideration as a candidate for Dundee East."
Gethins said it was "not a decision I have taken lightly", adding that the party does not see Scottish representatives having a "long-term future" in Westminster.
He said: "It is a privilege to be the MP for the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency and my priority will be to continue to do that job and represent everyone, to the best of my ability.
"It is obviously no secret that SNP MPs do not see Scottish representatives as having a long-term future at Westminster."
