STEPHEN Flynn has called out a BBC host for asking a “distasteful” question about his leadership ambitions after John Swinney announced he would continue to lead the SNP if he’s reelected next year.
The SNP MP for Aberdeen South was speaking with BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland host Laura Maxwell on Thursday about Harbour Energy’s announcement yesterday, where the firm said it plans to cut 250 jobs in Aberdeen.
Flynn had spoken at length about the impact the decision will have on his constituents while warning how “serious the situation is,” adding that he is fearful it could be the start of something that could be “quite devastating for Aberdeen and the northeast”.
Maxwell had quizzed Flynn over the Scottish Government's position about supporting a windfall tax, which Harbour Energy blamed for the job losses, before moving on to his own career ambitions.
Flynn was confirmed as the SNP’s candidate for Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine for next year's Holyrood election, stepping down as the MP for Aberdeen South.
Maxwell asked Flynn what Swinney's plans to lead the party for a further five years mean for his own leadership ambitions, a question which the MP branded as “quite distasteful” before backing his colleague.
“We heard from the First Minister, John Swinney, yesterday, he told us [BBC Radio Scotland] if he was re-elected as First Minister next year, he would continue for a full term in office,” Maxwell said.
“I wonder where that leaves your leadership ambitions, seeing as you're moving north, trying to get elected to move to Holyrood.”
Flynn replied: “Look, I hold the BBC in the highest regard, as you know, and I'm very grateful to come on your show at all available opportunities.
“I think it's a little bit distasteful when 250 of my constituents are losing their jobs to ask me such a question."
He added: “However, I will humour you in that context and just make it clear to yourself and to others that when Nicola Sturgeon, and this is a wee insight for you, when Nicola Sturgeon stood down as first minister, the first person that I called to take over the party, hoping that they would, was John Swinney.
“Of course, he didn't want to do so at the time when the same happened with Humza Yousaf shortly thereafter again, the first person I called to take over as first minister and leader of our party was John Swinney.
“I did that because John Swinney is the best politician in Scotland, and he's the best placed person to lead our party and our country over the course of the next 12 months.”
Flynn continued saying that he, along with his other SNP colleagues, would work “incredibly hard” alongside Swinney to make sure that he's returned as Scotland’s first minister.
He added: "You'll forgive me if in the meantime, my focus is fully 100% on my constituents who are losing their jobs, and I'm sure your listeners will appreciate that right now.”
