Pro-Nato Salmond hit by twin resignations
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Printable
EmailTwo MSPs have quit the SNP in opposition to the party's new support for Nato, it was confirmed today.
John Finnie and Jean Urquhart were among eight MSPs who led a grass-roots revolt against the party leadership's plan to take an independent Scotland into the nuclear armed military alliance.
The U-turn split the party almost down the middle when it was voted on at the SNP conference in Perth last week.
Defence spokesman Angus Robertson was booed by some members of the party as he made his final plea to reverse its 30 years of opposition to Nato.
Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament vice-chairwoman Isobel Lindsay said: "Scottish CND have great respect for John Finnie and Jean Urquhart's integrity.
"We are sure that they will continue to work for a non-nuclear independent Scotland that is not part of an aggressive military alliance."
SNP leader Alex Salmond said he was "saddened" by the news.
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Editorial
Exploit Tory woes, Labour
Lord Feldman says that he didn't call grassroots Tories "mad swivel-eyed loons" while his accusers stand by their stories that he did.
Features
Let's get Britain back on track
As Aslef's annual assembly of delegates begins in Edinburgh tomorrow the general secretary explains the challenges his members - and workers across the country - face
The vicious cycle of eurozone decline
France is the latest to face clamour from the EU to enforce crippling 'structural reforms.' The medicine is killing the patient