Two senior SNP MPs have quit the front bench days after Stephen Flynn was elected his party's new Westminster leader.
Pete Wishart told Flynn he was “bemused” by his decision to go for the leadership when support for independence is running at over 50 per cent.
In a letter brimming with sarcasm, he added: "Usually change of this significance accompanies failure, whereas we are looking only at sustained and growing success as a movement and party."
Defence spokesman Stewart McDonald also resigned and warned there could be no "shortcuts" to independence.
Flynn succeeded Ian Blackford as SNP Westminster leader on Tuesday after weeks of speculation about his intentions.
The Aberdeen South MP defeated Alison Thewlisss after Blackford resigned.
Wishart, first elected in 2001, notified Flynn of his decision to quit as the group's Defra spokesperson.
He said: “In my 21 years in parliament, I have served as spokesperson in a variety of front bench roles including as our Shadow Leader of the House and Chief Whip.
“I have never had the opportunity to experience the delights of the backbench and I look forward to serving your leadership from there."
He added: "I note that you hope to bring positive change to the way the group is run and that you wish to reset the relationship with colleagues in Government and in the Scottish Parliament.
"The latter, as I'm sure you are aware, is extremely important for the general culture within the party and I wish you well in these endeavours. The Westminster group is unique in the respect that we are a party of power in a parliament, in which that power can never be exercised.
In a pointed section of his resignation letter, he wrote:
"Many of us carry the scars following the many attempts to manage that unfortunate tension over the course of the years.
“I remain bemused as to the reasons why you felt it was necessary to seek a change in our leadership, particularly when we see yesterday's opinion poll, which shows support for independence at a near all-time high and support for the SNP at Westminster at an unprecedented 51%."
He continued: “I also look forward to learning at first-hand what you hope to do differently in the day-to-day management of the group.”
McDonald also announced his resignation in Flynn's first week.
He wrote: "We are at our best when we collaborate as a united party and sell a modern vision of what Scotland can still achieve: a confident case that’s rooted in understanding the challenges of today, offers credible, innovative solutions and builds a coalition of voters behind our ideas.
“I’m sure the new leadership team at Westminster will keep this at the forefront of their mind and work in that spirit across the party."
He added: “Independence polling is extremely heartening. Our urgent task is to turn our strong position into a meaningful way forward. This requires sober, considered thought, and must engage fellow Scots who may not share our desired outcomes. There are no shortcuts. Getting it right will be a defining moment for our cause."
“There are many views about how we progress. In the finest traditions of the Scottish National Party. I look forward to actively engaging in what I know will be a robust, respectful and well-informed debate as we approach the special conference next year."
Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “The SNP are fighting like ferrets in a sack.
“Their longest serving MP is clearly unhappy at Stephen Flynn’s boasts about wanting to ‘shake things up’ and Nicola Sturgeon losing her once vice-like grip over the party.
“Despite claiming he will give the new Westminster leader his full support, Pete Wishart’s damning letter is the latest evidence of the deep splits running through the SNP.
“His scathing attack on Stephen Flynn for bringing down Ian Blackford flies in the face of Stewart Hosie trying to pretend all is sweetness and light within the party, and is a clear sign of Nicola Sturgeon’s waning influence on SNP MPs.
“Policy and personal disagreements are emerging all the time as the party’s reputation for iron discipline under Nicola Sturgeon disintegrates.”
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