Joanna Cherry 'sacked' from SNP front bench at Westminster

Joanna Cherry says she has been sacked from the front bench of the Scottish National Party.

The MP for Edinburgh South West – who held the SNP’s justice and home affairs post at Westminster – tweeted on Monday: “Despite hard work, results & a strong reputation I’ve been sacked from @theSNP front bench.

“My constituents & fellow party memers who gave me a resounding mandate in recent NEC elections should rest assured that I will continue to work hard for them.”

Despite hard work, results & a strong reputation I’ve been sacked today from @theSNP front bench. My constituents & fellow party members who gave me a resounding mandate in recent NEC elections should rest assured that I will continue to work hard for them.
— Joanna Cherry QC (@joannaccherry) February 1, 2021

“Westminster is increasingly irrelevant to Scotland’s constitutional future and @theSNP would do well to radically re-think our strategy.”

Cherry’s remarks come as Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, announced a reshuffle of SNP MPs including members of the front bench team.

Blackford said the reshuffle would “draw on new talent and ensure the SNP has the best possible team in Westminster as Scotland faces the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit”.

Four MPs have been added to the SNP front bench – Patricia Gibson, Angela Crawley, Richard Thomson and Stephen Flynn.

Blackford said: “We have a wealth of talent and experience and this reshuffle of SNP MPs ensures we are in the best possible position to hold the UK government to account during this global pandemic and the aftermath of Brexit, to support colleagues ahead of the Scottish elections, and to deliver independence.

“Team working and cooperation are key to ensure results and this reshuffle will give us a strong team to take us forward. We have an incredibly hard-working group of MPs – I thank them all for their commitment and congratulate those in new positions.

“We are at a crucial time in politics. Never before have we faced a challenge as great as the global pandemic, and Scotland is acutely feeling the ramifications of leaving the European Union. With the Scottish elections on the horizon and independence in touching distance, our new team is ready to work hard for Scotland.”