John Swinney will 'consider implications' of Aberdeen South by-election defeat

First Minister John Swinney speaks to the media at The Culdee in Monifieth, after celebrating with newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

THE SNP will “consider the implications” of its defeat in the Aberdeen South by-election, leader John Swinney has said, as he admitted the Tories seized the seat from his party after capturing “understandable anger” in the area over the future of the oil and has industry.

The Tories fought the by-election as a referendum on the sector – with a senior SNP source suggesting voters do not understand the party’s energy policy or view it as “weak”.