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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Andrew Quinn

SNP MP who questioned party finances faces selection battle to keep his seat

An MP who quit as SNP treasurer amid concerns over party finances is reportedly facing a battle to oust him from his Westminster seat.

Douglas Chapman resigned as treasurer in 2021 after less than six months in the role.

The MP claimed at the time he "had not received the support or financial information required to carry out the fiduciary duties of National Treasurer."

Police Scotland later launched an investigation into party finances following complaints from members of the public.

Chapman is now facing an internal challenge to stand as an MP at the next general election. It is not common for sitting parliamentarians to face a challenge.

He was one of the few MPs who stuck by leadership candidate Kate Forbes after she faced backlash for her conservative social views.

It has been suggested Chapman is now being punished for supporting Forbes and for speaking out after resigning as party treasurer.

A source told The Times: "Chapman has been told his time is up but he will obviously put up a fight. This is all HQ revenge on Chapman over supporting [Kate] Forbes [in the leadership contest] and speaking out over the treasurer stuff."

Chapman said in a statement that he accepted any challenge under the SNP's "democratic structures".

The paper also reported that local councillor Naz Anis-Miah is said to be the leading candidate for the seat. Anis-Miah is reportedly backed by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

Somerville will not publicly back any candidate. She fended off an internal challenge for her Dunfermline Scottish Parliament seat before the 2021 Holyrood election. Chapman was publicly neutral throughout the contest.

Chapman has also been taking to social media to promote the work he has done as an MP.

He posted a pictures titled "Progress 2015-2023" and "Priorities Set, Priorities Met" on Twitter. He lauded Dunfermline gaining city status and a freeport winning a bid in the constituency.

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