IN LIKE FLYNN

Blow to First Minister as Sturgeon ally defeated by Aberdeen South MP

NICOLA Sturgeon has suffered a blow to her authority after a key ally failed to become the new SNP leader at Westminster.

Alison Thewliss lost to Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn in the race to succeed Ian Blackford.

He won by 26 votes to 17, with Mhairi Black also being elected deputy leader.

Flynn said: "Under my leadership, SNP MPs will be relentlessly focused on standing up for Scotland's interests and our democratic right to decide our future in an independence referendum.

"Families across Scotland are paying a devastating price under Westminster control, with Brexit, austerity cuts and the Tory cost of living crisis hammering household budgets.