John Swinney says SNP yet to decide on 'double jobbing' MPs looking to join Holyrood

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John Swinney has said the SNP has yet to make a decision on whether the party's MPs will be allowed to stand for Holyrood in 2026.

The Nationalists previously insisted its members at Westminster had to resign their seats before they could be approved as candidates for the Scottish Parliament.

But that rule appears to have fallen by the wayside after Stephen Flynn announced he was aiming to become an MSP in two years' time - while also planning to keep his job as an MP.

A further two SNP MPs - Dave Doogan and Stephen Gethins - have since confirmed they have also applied to the party to be considered as potential Holyrood candidates at the next election.

Nationalists in the Scottish Parliament have previously attacked opposition members - such as former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross - who also held seats in the Commons or Lords.

Swinney said today: "We’ve had times in the past when we’ve had dual mandates – I had a dual mandate myself for two years in the early days of devolution.

“The party has got to come to its conclusions about these particular issues and it will do in the fullness of time.”

But gormer SNP minister George Adam said it was "wrong" for SNP MPs to try to also sit at Holyrood, adding he was "disappointed" with how Flynn had handled his decision.

The Paisley MSP noted his party had spent years "attacking others" for having dual mandates.

Kate Forbes today claimed Flynn would be a "brilliant asset" to the Scottish Parliament.

But last year she criticised Douglas Ross - who was an MP, MSP and professional football referee at the time - branding him “three jobs”.

Responding to Flynn’s announcement, she added: “The beauty of democracy is that it ultimately will be a decision for the local electorate as to who represents them, both within the party and within the public.

"Now, most recently, that was put to the test with Douglas Ross, he wasn't returned as the MP, and therefore it proves the point that democracy works."

Gethins, who represents Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, said he had submitted an application to keep his vetting papers "up to date" and noted there were no local vacancies for SNP candidates.

The MP added he would like to return at "some point" to Holyrood, where he formerly worked as a government adviser. However, he said his priority was representing his constituents at the UK parliament.

Dave Doogan confirmed that he has submitted for SNP vetting in advance of the 2026 election. He did not confirm that he would stand, saying it was "not a statement of intent" but would mean running remained a possibility.

SNP MSP Emma Roddick called for the party's Westminster leader to rethink his ambition to hold two seats seats.

The Highlands and Islands representative said she could not imagine "being a good MSP" while spending "half" her time in London.

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