SNP leadership 'seeking to stifle debate' amid anger in ranks, claims Kenny MacAskill

Former Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has criticised the SNP leadership for seeking to stifle debate within its ranks ahead of the annual conference this weekend.

He accused some in the party hierarchy of "hypocrisy" over their concerns about internal groups running for NEC and office positions this weekend, in a column for today's Scotsman.

The Common Weal group has put forward a number of candidates, including MPs Joanna Cherry, Douglas Chapman and Neale Hanvey, who have signed up to a pledge for more democracy in the party.