Stewart Hosie to stand down as SNP deputy leader

Stewart Hosie has said he will step down as the SNP’s deputy leader in the autumn.

Writing to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Hosie cited health concerns over the level of media scrutiny he has faced, following reports he had been having an affair with a political journalist.

Hosie said he wanted to make the decision public now to give the party time to nominate possible successors ahead of the SNP autumn conference.

His letter, confirming that he will not seek re-election as deputy leader, states: “I am writing to you firstly to apologise for any hurt and upset I have caused to friends, family and colleagues. That was never my intention.”

He added: “As you know I have been admitted to hospital on three occasions in the past few years with very high blood pressure.

“In that regard, the stress of the intense scrutiny of my private life has been very difficult.”

Responding to Hosie, Sturgeon said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your service as Deputy Leader since November 2014.

“During your tenure in office, amongst your many other duties, you have authored two successful election manifestos - providing the policy platform for our victories in both the 2015 General Election and the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. These are achievements you should be very proud of.”

The next deputy leader will be elected at the party’s autumn conference. The deadline for nominations is 5 August.

Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray MP said: "Stewart Hosie has made the right decision to resign, but this incident exposes something more significant about the SNP at Westminster.

“Instead of attacking each other, SNP MPs should be focused on delivering for their constituents. Last year the SNP told us their MPs would be stronger for Scotland, but just 12 months on many have been a source of real embarrassment.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw last week reported Hosie, as well as SNP MP Angus MacNeil, to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over allegations they claimed expenses for accommodation while conducting extra-marital affairs.

Scottish Tory MSP John Lamont said: “This episode has been another embarrassment to the SNP MPs group and people who voted for them last year have every right to question what has happened since.

“In the meantime, questions still remain to be answered about the way public money has been spent, both by Mr Hosie and Angus MacNeil.”