Stephen Flynn has been named the SNP’s new Westminster leader, defeating rival Alison Thewliss to replace Ian Blackford. 

The result is a blow for Nicola Sturgeon, with the parliamentary party snubbing her close ally in favour of a candidate who looks set to distance the group from the leadership in Edinburgh. 

Mr Flynn and his running mate Mhairi Black ended up winning comfortably, taking 26 votes to Ms Thewliss's 17.

In a statement, Mr Flynn said his MPs would be "relentlessly focused on standing up for Scotland's interests and our democratic right to decide our future in an independence referendum."

Why is the news a blow for Nicola Sturgeon?

In the immediate aftermath of Mr Blackford's resignation, most had expected a coronation for Mr Flynn. 

Ms Thewliss shocked the party when she announced her bid on Saturday night, just two days after Mr Flynn had held a meeting with the First Minister in Bute House. 

Some MPs viewed her candidacy as the First Minister's attempt to kibosh Mr Flynn's leadership ambitions. 

Read more: Clear-out of SNP's old guard has been a long time coming

He was part of the so-called Tuesday Club, whose members, including David Linden, Gavin Newlands, Alan Brown, had been critical of Mr Blackford since a vote on benefits in February.

The SNP leadership in Edinburgh had urged MPs to abstain on a vote to raise benefits by just £10.07 a month and the state pension by £5.55 a week.

However, Mr Linden and Glasgow South West MP Chris Stephens defied the party’s orders and voted against the Government.

Mr Flynn has also publicly split with the First Minister over oil and gas exploration.

Last year, when Ms Sturgeon wrote to the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, calling for all new oil and gas extraction licenses to be reassessed in light of the climate crisis, the Aberdeen South MP warned about being “in a situation where we are ever more reliant on imports.”

Profile: Stephen Flynn

Dundee-born and Brechin raised Mr Flynn has been an MP since 2019’s general election when took the seat off the Tories.

His first day in Westminster had to be delayed by two weeks when his wife gave birth to their baby boy three days after the election.

Prior to Westminster, he was a councillor in Aberdeen, serving as the SNP group’s leader. He also worked as a researcher to MSPs and MPs.

Currently, the 34-year-old father of one holds the party’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy brief.

His support for the oil and gas industry could see him at odds with Nicola Sturgeon.

Last year, when the First Minister wrote to the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, calling for all new oil and gas extraction licenses to be reassessed in light of the climate crisis, he warned about being “in a situation where we are ever more reliant on imports.”

In the Twitter statement announcing his bid to replace Ian Blackford he said that "few working class folk ever make it to Parliament, fewer still run to be political leaders."

He added: “Even fewer do so having spent almost the entirety of their teenage and adult years battling a physical disability.

“Your experiences tend to shape you, and I’m no different."

Read more: All eyes on Westminster as Ian Blackford leaves the stage

Until just two years ago the MP was unable to walk without support or crutches, often using a wheelchair. 

Mr Flynn was 14 when he collapsed in pain at school. Doctors later diagnosed avascular necrosis – the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply.

An operation in 2020 changed all that. The first thing he did was take a pain-free walk along the beach with his little boy.

Mr Flynn is a keen Dundee United fan, often travelling down to the city from his home in Aberdeen to watch games.