Fergus Ewing to stand as independent candidate at 2026 Holyrood election

Rebel MSP Fergus Ewing has confirmed he will stand as an independent candidate at next year's Scottish Parliament election.

The Inverness and Nairn representative confirmed earlier this year he would not stand as an SNP candidate in 2026.

Since leaving government, Mr Ewing has been a vocal critic of SNP ministers, criticising them on a range of issues, including the decision to bring the Greens into the Scottish Government in the Bute House Agreement, which collapsed last year.

Ewing: 'I want to help get Holyrood back to its best'

In a statement released today, Mr Ewing said he has seen the Scottish Parliament "at its best and its worst", with the latter in recent years.

"I want to help get the Scottish Parliament back to its best," he said.

"This has not been an easy decision. I have taken it because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn and the people of Scotland more than my party which I have been in for more than half a century.

"The SNP has been part of the fabric of my life for more than half a century.

"Indeed, I believe there has been a distinctive thread of Ewing running through its plaid for even longer. I hope that is never removed.

"But fabrics can become worn. I hope the SNP can repair itself and return to the honour and traditions of those who first wove it in a manner that meets Scotland's real, modern needs."

The former minister has repeatedly clashed with the SNP-led Scottish Government in Edinburgh, particularly over the dualling of roads impacting his Highland constituency and over the failed deposit return scheme.

The Ewing family is revered within the SNP and wider independence movement, with the late Winnie Ewing claiming a key victory in a by-election in Hamilton in 1967 to propel the party forward.

She would go on to sit as an MEP and be the one to preside over the opening of the newly-formed Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Both Mr Ewing and his sister, Annabelle, are sitting MSPs.

He added: "I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself - presently - is letting Scotland's people down. It doesn't need to be this way.

"Holyrood is more fractious and tribal than ever before."

It has been reported Fergus Ewing is no longer a member of the SNP as under party rules, membership ceases when someone announces plans to stand against them.

However, when asked about his membership earlier today Mr Ewing said he hasn't resigned from the SNP.

He said: "I haven't left the SNP, we'll need to see what they say about that, I am not resigning.

"I don't see why I should."

SNP leader Mr Swinney said: "It was with real sadness and deep regret that I heard of Fergus Ewing's decision to leave the Scottish National Party.

"We have both served the SNP and the cause of independence for many years, and I commend him for all that he achieved while serving in the SNP Government until 2021.

"Fergus had the option of standing at the forthcoming election for the SNP, given his status as an approved candidate. He chose not to accept that opportunity and I regret that he has ultimately decided instead to leave the party.

"The SNP approaches the 2026 election ahead in the polls, with growing support for independence, and I am looking forward to taking our positive, ambitious vision for Scotland's future to the people."