Moray MP is new deputy leader of the SNP

Angus Robertson - won 52% of first preference votes in deputy leadership race.
Angus Robertson – won 52% of first preference votes in deputy leadership race.

MORAY’S MP IS the new deputy leader of the Scottish National Party.

Angus Robertson was announced the winner of an election process that has taken several months to complete.

His election was announced at the opening day of the SNP Conference this morning, when it was revealed that he had seen off competition from Tommy Sheppard MP, MEP Alyn Smith and Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny.

As well as representing Moray at the Westminster parliament, Mr Robertson is the leader of the SNP group in London.

Mr Robertson has been a prominent and important member of the SNP leadership for several years and has planned several campaigns for the party. Most recently he also said he was “open to the prospect” of a Scottish pound should his party ever achieve their wish of an independent Scotland.

That would require a major change in SNP policy – and is expected to be a change he could champion as deputy leader, having said: “We cannot rule out other options and that’s why we have to go through a process which involves internal debate, internal discussion and an agreement across the party.”

The Moray MP gained 52% of the first preference votes in the deputy leadership race, enough to ensure victory in the first round of voting. The election was held following the resignation earlier this year of Stewart Hosie MP.

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