Flynn is a star with immense talent, says Swinney amid double-jobbing row

John Swinney has described Stephen Flynn arsenic a “star” with “immense talent” amid concerns implicit the SNP Westminster leader’s plans to tally for Holyrood.

The First Minister said Mr Flynn has a “huge publication to make” to the party.

Mr Flynn revealed past week that helium intends to tally successful the 2026 Scottish Parliament predetermination for a spot presently filled by SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll.

He sparked a backlash from wrong his enactment erstwhile helium said helium volition proceed being an MP, though helium besides vowed not to instrumentality 2 salaries.

Amid questions implicit the Aberdeen South MP’s governmental ambitions, Mr Swinney besides said helium would enactment connected arsenic enactment person aft 2026.

Speaking to journalists aft First Minister’s Questions connected Thursday, the First Minister said of Mr Flynn: “I deliberation he’s 1 of our large staffers.

“I deliberation Stephen has a immense publication to marque to the enactment and docket of the SNP – helium is simply a superb contributor.”

The SNP person said it is up to the enactment whether Mr Flynn is allowed to tally arsenic an MSP, and added: “But fto determination beryllium perfectly nary uncertainty that I deliberation Stephen Flynn is 1 of our stars and I deliberation he’s got a immense publication to marque to our party.”

The First Minister – who antecedently served arsenic some an MSP and an MP for 2 years – said holding 2 jobs was “very, precise demanding”.

He added: “That’s a precise existent information that’s got to beryllium considered successful immoderate judgement astir that issue.

Speaking of Mr Flynn, helium said: “He is an immense endowment and he’s a superbly talented individual.”

His comments came aft SNP nationalist concern curate Ivan McKee earlier said double-jobbing arsenic an MP and MSP “isn’t sustainable”.

Mr Flynn, who wants to contention the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat, was among the SNP politicians who criticised erstwhile Scottish Conservative person Douglas Ross for dual mandates.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland connected Thursday, Mr McKee praised Mr Flynn’s endowment but cautioned against taking connected some jobs astatine once.

“I deliberation double-jobbing – moving arsenic an MP and an MSP – isn’t sustainable,” helium said.

“I’ve got a full-time occupation arsenic an MSP and a minister, I gave up enactment that I had, a consultancy and a directorship that I had that was paid work.

“I didn’t request to springiness it up erstwhile I came into Parliament, (but) I recognised that this was a full-time occupation that needs a full-time commitment.”

Speaking astatine the weekend, Mr Flynn said the concern was “not peculiarly pleasant” and helium unopen down suggestions his attempted determination to Holyrood is simply a bid to manoeuvre himself into presumption to beryllium the adjacent enactment leader.