Plans to oust SNP MSP Fergus Ewing could be derailed as party fears by-election impact in Winnie seat

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Senior SNP figures who want veteran MSP Fergus Ewing out of the party could be thwarted over fears that it will damage the SNP vote in the by-election where his late mother won a legendary victory.The MSP for Inverness and Nairn is facing suspension from his party after voting against Green minister Lorna Slater in a motion of no confidence.Ewing, a former cabinet minister, has been critical of policies including the deposit return scheme (DRS) and the highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) which he said would be detrimental to his constituency.But sources told the Sunday Mail his outspoken opinions have made him a target by senior ministers who have used his vote against Slater as a reason to get rid of him.Others said the party was afraid to take action before the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election due to Winnie Ewing’s victory in Hamilton in 1967.In June Ewing voted with the Tories to get rid of Slater over her handling of the 20p bottle deposit scheme which has now been scrapped.But plans to discipline him were put on hold after his mum died on June 21, the day after his rebellion.On Thursday this week MSPs paid tribute to Winnie Ewing in Holyrood but the next day reports emerged claiming Ewing was to be suspended from the party imminently.One party insider said said: “The day after MSPs stand up in parliament and pay tribute to Winnie they’re out there saying her son’s going to get chucked.“Shirley-Anne Somerville [social justice secretary] and [Paisley MSP] George Adam think he should be expelled, as does [deputy First Minister] Shona Robison.“It’s ruthless to be attacking one of your own right after they’ve suffered such a huge personal loss.”And sources revealed the party have not contacted him at all about