HANDS UP I'VE GOT THIS ONE WRONG

SNP's Westminster leader bows to pressure

- EVE BEATTIE

STEPHEN Flynn last night gave in to pressure and backed out of his attempt to stand as an MSP while remaining an MP.

Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South in the House of Commons, had previously said he planned to run for a seat at Holyrood in the 2026 election.

He announced that he would aim to hold his Westminster seat until the next general election in 2029, but that he would not have accepted two wages.

The Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat at Holyrood is currently held by SNP's Audrey Nicoll.

Flynn insisted he had attempted to obtain a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but said last night: "Hands up, I've got this one wrong." He added: "My aim to save the public purse from unnecessary strain by potentially overlapping the role of an MP and an MSP for a short period until the next general election was genuine in its intent.