Veteran SNP MP Angus MacNeil has been expelled from the SNP.
Mr MacNeil was suspended from the party’s Westminster group last month after reportedly clashing with chief whip Brendan O’Hara.
He then turned his back on the party saying he would not rejoin the group until its conference in October.
But now he says he has been expelled as a ‘rank and file’ member of the party after almost 20 years as a politician.
Mr MacNeil, 53, has represented the Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) constituency since 2005.
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The Herald has followed the twists and turns of this story, and sat down for an exclusive interview with the MP earlier this month, Check out our coverage here:
Kevin McKenna interviews Angus MacNeil
Angus MacNeil expelled from SNP after row with chief whip
Angus MacNeil has SNP membership suspended
Why are the SNP demonising Angus MacNeil rather than listening to him?
Angus MacNeil hints at SNP return under new party leader
Asked by The Herald this morning if he would stand as an independent or as a candidate for Alba, he hinted at the prospect of a return to the SNP under a new leader should the party be defeated at the upcoming Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election.
"I will stand - who knows what will happen with the SNP...might be wisdom and a change after what will be a debacle in Rutherglen," he told The Herald.
Should Mr MacNeil stand as an independent or for Alba, the move would put pressure on support for the SNP which is also facing a challenge from Labour in Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
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