Rebels 'meet in secret' to discuss Swinney's leadership of SNP

THE First Minister is facing the prospect of open rebellion within his party after senior nationalists held a "secret meeting" to discuss his future.

- By Douglas Dickie

It comes in the wake of the disastrous Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election result.

Last night, it was revealed that the rebels have not ruled out a leadership challenge to John Swinney at the October conference amid fears it will turn into a "bloodbath".

The SNP managed to lose a Lanarkshire seat they have held since its creation in 2011.

This was despite Scottish Labour suffering from the dire performance of the UK party at Westminster.

A surging Reform vote also looked to have paved the way for a Katy Loudon victory but Mr Swinney's claim that it was a straight fight between the SNP and Nigel Farage's party not only proved wide of the mark but also contributed to their defeat, according to some party stalwarts.

The First Minister has been credited with improving the SNP's fortunes after the disastrous reign of his predecessor, Humza Yousaf and a humiliation at last year's general election.

However, in reality, he has done little to galvanise support, which has merely flatlined.

Splits in the Unionist vote may yet get the SNP out of jail at the 2026 Holyrood election but some figures within the party want to see action now.