Stephen Flynn wont seek to sit as MP and MSP after Holyrood election
The SNP Westminster leader's decision to double job had been criticised
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has gone back on an announcement that he would be pursuing a dual mandate as an MSP and MP simultaneously.
Mr Flynn, the MP for Aberdeen South, announced earlier in November that he would also run for the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat at the 2026 Holyrood election - a seat which is already held by SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll.
It would mean that if he had won, his Holyrood and Westminster constituencies would overlap.
Mr Flynn said he would remain an MP for Aberdeen South up until the next general election, and that he would not take two salaries despite working both jobs.
He said: "Hands up, I've got this one wrong and won't be pursuing a dual mandate.
"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 - but doing it for the right reasons doesn't change the fact that I got it wrong.
"My motivation and central belief remain that Holyrood, as the heart of Scottish democracy, is the democratic platform that will drive the route to an independent Scotland.
"All of us in the independence movement share that common cause and want to be part of that story.
"Alongside all SNP members, I now look forward to assessing the new candidate selection rules that my party will put in place."
Opposition parties had been accusing Stephen Flynn of hypocrisy, noting the SNP had criticised "double jobbing" in the past.
The Scottish Conservatives branded the move a "humiliating U-turn".
Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: "This is a humiliating U-turn for Stephen Flynn.
"His plans were typical of arrogant SNP politicians who think there should be one rule for them and another for everyone else.
"However, even people in his own party saw right through his rank hypocrisy and made their feelings known.
"The public deserve better than nationalists prioritising their own career options, rather than addressing what Scots are really concerned about."