Kate Forbes hails Fergus Ewing as 'living legend' after his suspension from SNP

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Kate Forbes has hailed Fergus Ewing as a "living legend" and said she did not want him to "stand alone" following his suspension from the SNP.The former SNP leadership contender stood alongside Ewing as he addressed the media in the Scottish Parliament last week after he was temporarily suspended.The Inverness MSP was sanctioned by his Nationalist colleagues at Holyrood after he voted in favour of a motion of no confidence in Scottish Government minister Lorna Slater.Asked about her decision to stand alongside Ewing, Forbes said: "Fergus is a living legend throughout the Highlands and Islands and mainly because he always puts the needs of these communities first."My concern was that he didn’t stand alone going in or leaving that room."Our parliamentary group is a family and you must have each other’s backs.

And when you face difficult circumstances, you need your troops around you."The SNP has refused to comment on the appeal against Ewing’s suspension.It is understood a three person panel – made up of Westminster MPs or members of the party’s national executive committee (NEC) – will be appointed by the SNP’s ruling body and the process will normally be resolved within three weeks of the appeal letter being received.

In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Ewing defended his repeated rebellions against the Scottish Government.He said: "I’ve served the SNP and the cause of independence for half a century and I’m not going to be hounded out of the party I love.

I’ve consulted with my lawyer and we have a good argument. I was voting with my conscience for my constituents. "We are going through a period at the moment where we’ve chosen the wrong path.