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The SNP Westminster group’s civil war continues

Credit: Composite via UK Parliament/Chris McAndrew

All is not well among the SNP’s Westminster group and this time, it’s not Mhairi Black causing them trouble. Leader Stephen Flynn has today suspended Salmond ally Angus MacNeil from the party after a public bust up with the Chief Whip Brendan O’Hara.

Tension has been brewing between MacNeil and O’Hara for a while but it came to a head last night in the Commons division lobbies. O’Hara is alleged to have been sending MacNeil, the MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, disciplinary notices about his poor attendance in parliament.

It became one notice too many for MacNeil who, in his latest disagreement with the whip, reportedly seethed ‘You’re a small wee man!’ several times before flinging the whole lot of papers back at him. Oh dear.

But this rather public act of melodrama was not quite enough to calm MacNeil down.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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