SNP MPs have slammed a reported attempt to oust a former party treasurer who had spoken out about the party's finances.
The Times reported on Wednesday that the Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman was facing an internal challenge to stand for the seat at the next election.
It has been suggested the MP is being punished for supporting Kate Forbes' leadership bid and for speaking out after resigning as party treasurer.
Chapman said he welcomed the challenge and hit out at the "slurs" against him.
His parliamentary colleagues have called the attempt to oust him "stupid", while one said it showed that "anyone asking any questions about finance is targeted."
Chapman resigned as SNP treasurer in 2021 after less than six months in the role.
The MP claimed at the time he "had not received the support or financial information required to carry out the fiduciary duties of National Treasurer."
Police Scotland later launched an investigation into party finances following complaints from members of the public.
He was one of the few MPs who stuck by Forbes during the leadership contest after she faced backlash for her conservative social views.
It was reported that local councillor Naz Anis-Miah is said to be the leading candidate for the seat. Anis-Miah is reportedly backed by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.
They both supported Humza Yousaf's leadership bid.
One MP said: "I think it is nuts. It seems that anyone asking any questions about finance is targeted.
"I'm told the stalking horse is unaware that he is a pawn in a Machiavellian game, which takes voters for granted to settle HQ mafia scores.
"The HQ games go on as the same people with their multiple agendas other than independence are still in place."
A stalking horse is a figure used to mount a challenge on behalf of an anonymous third party.
Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP Martyn Day said: "That would be very stupid [to oust Chapman], but of course we are a democratic party and anyone can contest for any position.
"Given that Douglas has a good representative track record and held his seat in a very bad year in 2017, I’d expect the membership to stick with him."
Falkirk MP John McNally said: "Anybody is entitled to challenge anyone [for a seat].
"But as far as Douglas Chapman is concerned, he is probably one of the hardest working, most diligent MPs that we have. He is very honest and straightforward.
"Good luck to anybody who challenges him!"
Chapman said: “With 660 MPs in the Commons having candidate selections in the run up to an election is nothing new.
"We have a process in the SNP and we’ll see if there are any contenders who want to put their hat in the ring. It’s then up to SNP members to decide on one member–one vote basis and I am sure they will choose wisely."
He also hit out at comments in The Times article which questioned his work ethic.
He said: “As for the story based on unnamed 'sources' I suspect this slur is merely an attempt by my political opponents which, for them, has back-fired badly.
"Within minutes of the article being published I have had messages of support from many constituents who I have helped and from many others across Scotland who want to come to Dunfermline to campaign for me. So for Team Chapman it’s turned out to be very much a win-win.”
The SNP was contacted for comment.
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