A FORMER SNP MP is reportedly challenging the party’s current national secretary.
As first reported by The Herald, Chris Stephens, who represented Glasgow South West at Westminster from 2015 until losing his seat to Labour’s Dr Zubir Ahmed in 2024, has entered the race to become SNP national secretary.
The post is currently held by Glasgow councillor Alex Kerr, who is standing again despite controversy over his role in a disciplinary process.
Earlier this year, a party hearing concluded that Kerr failed to present all available evidence during an investigation into a complaint lodged against Holyrood hopeful Toni Giugliano. The omission was described as having “prejudiced” the case to a “significant extent.”
Giugliano was suspended and blocked from contesting the Falkirk West nomination after accusations of intimidating behaviour were made by Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn and backed by councillor Katie Hagmann, a senior figure in Cosla.
However, internal appeal documents obtained by The Herald revealed that five witness statements in Giugliano’s favour, as well as an audio recording, were not provided to the party’s member conduct committee. The Conduct Appeals Committee later ruled the original process was “procedurally unfair” and reinstated Giugliano.
Kerr had argued that his role was comparable to a procurator fiscal, and that presenting evidence supportive of the accused was unnecessary. The appeals body rejected that position, stating the committee should have received all relevant testimony to ensure a fair hearing.
The row has reignited internal tensions ahead of the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen later this month, where members will decide who takes on key organisational roles.
Stephens and Kerr are both on the ballot for national secretary, with the results due to be announced during the conference.
Kerr and the SNP were approached for comment.
