The Scottish National Party (SNP) has dismissed claims from MP Lisa Cameron that a “toxic” atmosphere in the party was to blame for her mental health struggles. Cameron, a former NHS clinical psychologist, left the SNP to join the Conservatives after being told she would face a selection contest for her seat in the next general election. SNP president Mike Russell rejected her claims and insisted that her relationship with the party had become “fraught” in recent years. The SNP lost its seat in the recent Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, prompting Cameron’s defection.
Speaking on BBC Radio’s “Good Morning Scotland” show, Russell accused Cameron of having an “odd tantrum” and said the SNP needed to focus on more important issues. Russell said that Cameron’s claims were “unsubstantiated” and that she should step down to trigger a by-election in her constituency of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow. Similarly, he called for Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil to also stand down and force a by-election, after he changed position on the issue of Scottish independence.
Cameron had alleged that she had been “ostracised” by the SNP after speaking out against the treatment of former Westminster chief whip Patrick Grady. In her announcement of her decision to leave the SNP, Cameron reversed her position on Scottish independence, describing it as “divisive”. Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy rejected calls for a by-election, saying there was “no need” for one and that Cameron would continue to represent her constituents as normal.
The SNP’s handling of sexual harassment allegations has come under scrutiny recently. Cameron claimed that the party had a “toxic and bullying Westminster group” which affected her mental health. The MP also alleged that she required counselling for a year and was prescribed antidepressants because of the SNP’s behaviour. Russell denied Cameron’s claims and called for her to stand down
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