Expelled SNP MP blasts ‘excessive and mighty’ method to controversial fishing plans

An MP kicked out of the SNP not too long ago has blasted the Scottish Government’s method to controversial fishing plans.

Angus MacNeil – the MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar – slammed the “high and mighty attitude” to introducing extremely protected marine areas (HPMAs).

The Scottish Government was proposing to ban human exercise in at the very least 10 p.c of Scotland’s waters to guard wildlife and the atmosphere.

But the plans sparked criticism from rural and fishing communities, opposition politicians and a few in their very own occasion earlier than they had been scrapped.

Mr MacNeil mentioned Scottish First Minister and SNP chief Humza Yousaf’s U-turn in April got here “too late”.

Mr MacNeil informed Times Radio: “They eventually U-turned, but they U-turned too late after annoying a whole load of people unnecessarily on what was a daft policy.

“It was clearly unsustainable that they had been going to run with that.

“It was a sort of high and mighty attitude.

“Eventually Humza Yousaf noticed the tidal wave, if you happen to pardon the pun, coming his approach and he climbed down, however he might have climbed down in a greater approach.

“He could have climbed down when he came in first as First Minister and said ‘this is daft’ and made a virtue of his U-turn rather than make it look like he’d been forced into a U-turn.”

Mr MacNeil’s criticism comes after he was booted out of the SNP earlier this month.

He was suspended from the occasion’s Westminster group final month following a public bust-up with chief whip Brendan O’Hara.

But he refused to instantly rejoin the SNP group at Westminster after his suspension ended.

Mr MacNeil, who has been an SNP MP since 2005, additionally launched a press release attacking the occasion’s method to independence.

He mentioned: “I will only seek the SNP whip again if it is clear that the SNP are pursuing independence.”

He was subsequently expelled following a gathering by the SNP conduct committee.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government mentioned: “The Cabinet Secretary set out the government’s position to the Scottish Parliament in June.

“While we stay firmly dedicated to the end result of enhanced marine safety, the proposal as consulted on is not going to be progressed and a full response to the session and data on the subsequent steps shall be revealed after summer season recess.

“Ministers are continuing to engage with coastal communities.

“The Cabinet Secretary has made clear that she is decided to guard our oceans in a approach that’s truthful, and to discover a approach ahead that ensures our seas stay a supply of prosperity for the nation, particularly in our distant, coastal and island communities.”