A SPECIAL meeting to discuss whether SNP MSP Fergus Ewing should lose the party whip for a set time has been postponed.
Former frontbencher Ewing was expected to face disciplinary action for backing a no-confidence motion against Scottish Government Green minister Lorna Slater earlier this year.
SNP MSP’s were set to meet on Wednesday evening to discuss but it is understood that the meeting has been suspended after Ewing contracted Covid and couldn’t attend in person.
No replacement date has been confirmed but a meeting may take place on Wednesday next week if Ewing recovers in time.
The veteran MSP has frequently made the headlines in recent months due to his criticism of SNP policy, including opposition to the Bute House Agreement and the deposit return scheme. He also dubbed the Scottish Greens "wine bar revolutionaries".
More recently, he joined the Tories in signing a letter to the First Minister calling for a pause to the short-term lets licensing scheme.
Ewing was rumoured to lose the whip earlier this summer, but it coincided with the death of his mother Winnie, who was a legendary pro-independence figure.
The Times reported that Ewing would be facing the removal of the whip over the rebellions earlier this month.
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison (above), however, said she would not discuss the issue on BBC Scotland’s Sunday show.
She said: “I’m not going to discuss somebody’s situation or the difficult issues someone has to wrestle with. The group will make that decision.”
The BBC also reported that MSPs have been advised the vote on Ewing’s disciplinary action will be under a three-line whip, meaning they must attend the meeting but will not be told how to vote on any proposed sanction.
