![CHERRY BOMB](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1720398230/articles/tDg5ZnZt81720420594161/CHERRY-BOMB.jpg)
NICOLA Sturgeon should apologise for her part in the SNP's collapse, ousted MP Joanna Cherry has demanded.
And a former SNP minister called for John Swinney quit to allow his deputy, Kate Forbes, and Westminster leader Stephen Flynn to take over.
The SNP has descended into bitter infighting as angry members demand answers after the party was left with just nine MPs following a brutal reckoning with voters.
Cherry was one of 39 SNP candidates to lose their seats in Thursday's poll after her Edinburgh South West constituency was snatched by Labour.
The angry politician said Sturgeon should carry blame for the party's shattering defeat because its reputation for governing Scotland properly had taken a "severe battering".
And she rejected claims by former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford that she was just "bitter" at losing her seat. Asked if the former leader owed the SNP an apology, Cherry said yesterday: "I think she does.
I don't think you can ever blame a setback like this on one person, however, Nicola Sturgeon was a very strong leader who brooked no debate and no dissent, as I know to my considerable cost."
Cherry added there had been a "huge strategic failure" on Sturgeon's part to further the cause of independence and reach unconvinced voters.
The former MP continued: "It was difficult to persuade people to vote SNP in this election.
This story is from the July 08, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 08, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/ks2D1d0zI1721279688969/SOME-THINGS-NEVER-CHANGE.jpg)
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE
ANGEBALL is still deadly - and so is Lawrence Shankland.
![REACH FOR THE STARS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/hIXldj7LY1721279529042/REACH-FOR-THE-STARS.jpg)
REACH FOR THE STARS
Nick: When I told people I wanted to be an Olympian they said it was as likely as being an astronaut but now I've made it
![BOXER JOSH HOOKS A £4.5M FORTUNE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/m9V35TAsz1721279390889/BOXER-JOSH-HOOKS-A-45M-FORTUNE.jpg)
BOXER JOSH HOOKS A £4.5M FORTUNE
Tartan Tornado firm's assets soar more than £1.2m in a year
![30-STONE RAPIST CAGED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/cW-iuoQEJ1721279291185/30STONE-RAPIST-CAGED.jpg)
30-STONE RAPIST CAGED
Predator lured women in before taking out jealous rage on them
![£50K EVEREST CHARITY CLIMB](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/LGWrxk1FB1721279110537/50K-EVEREST-CHARITY-CLIMB.jpg)
£50K EVEREST CHARITY CLIMB
Child abuse survivors take on world's highest peak
!['Scared' Zara told chiefs she was OK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/OO9F_tP9d1721278992512/SCARED-ZARA-TOLD-CHIEFS-SHE-WAS-OK.jpg)
'Scared' Zara told chiefs she was OK
'Strictly bosses probed Graziano rehearsal blast'
![TROON'S OPEN FOR BUSINESS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/xSbvhxyIo1721278486257/TROONS-OPEN-FOR-BUSINESS.jpg)
TROON'S OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Town buzzing as excitement builds for greatest major
![MILITARY CHIEF PLAYED WITH WOMAN'S HAIR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/FHjtSuAz_1721278306353/MILITARY-CHIEF-PLAYED-WITH-WOMANS-HAIR.jpg)
MILITARY CHIEF PLAYED WITH WOMAN'S HAIR
Senior officer who kissed victim admits indecency at court martial
![BABY REINDEER EMMY PICK ROW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/rM5O0Kvuz1721278205008/BABY-REINDEER-EMMY-PICK-ROW.jpg)
BABY REINDEER EMMY PICK ROW
Lawyer for 'Martha' hits out at Gadd for putting 'money before the truth'
![Biden: I'd drop out... only if doc said I had problem](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21048/1769534/tf5xgd7Wg1721278068337/BIDEN-ID-DROP-OUT-ONLY-IF-DOC-SAID-I-HAD-PROBLEM.jpg)
Biden: I'd drop out... only if doc said I had problem
US PRESIDENT Joe Biden has said he will consider dropping out of the election race - but only on doctor's advice.