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SNP media chief Murray Foote resigns over membership dispute SNP media chief Murray Foote resigns over membership dispute
(30 minutes later)
Murray Foote said he had issued agreed party responses to the mediaMurray Foote said he had issued agreed party responses to the media
The SNP's media chief has resigned in a row over the party's membership numbers - after it denied the figure had dropped by 30,000.The SNP's media chief has resigned in a row over the party's membership numbers - after it denied the figure had dropped by 30,000.
Murray Foote had described press reports about the numbers last month as "inaccurate" and "drivel".Murray Foote had described press reports about the numbers last month as "inaccurate" and "drivel".
The SNP confirmed yesterday that membership had fallen to 72,186 from the 104,000 it had two years ago.The SNP confirmed yesterday that membership had fallen to 72,186 from the 104,000 it had two years ago.
Mr Foote said he issued agreed party responses to the media which "created a serious impediment" to his role.Mr Foote said he issued agreed party responses to the media which "created a serious impediment" to his role.
SNP leadership candidates Ash Regan and Kate Forbes this week demanded to know how many members were eligible to vote in a row over the integrity of the contest.SNP leadership candidates Ash Regan and Kate Forbes this week demanded to know how many members were eligible to vote in a row over the integrity of the contest.
The party initially refused to do so, then confirmed there was a drop of 32,000 since December 2021.The party initially refused to do so, then confirmed there was a drop of 32,000 since December 2021.
SNP says its membership has fallen to 72,000SNP says its membership has fallen to 72,000
What are the complaints over the SNP contest?What are the complaints over the SNP contest?
The battle raging for the soul of the SNPThe battle raging for the soul of the SNP
Last month the Sunday Mail - where Mr Foote was formerly editor in chief - reported the SNP had lost 30,000 members, which the party said was "not just wrong, it's wrong by about 30,000".Last month the Sunday Mail - where Mr Foote was formerly editor in chief - reported the SNP had lost 30,000 members, which the party said was "not just wrong, it's wrong by about 30,000".
Mr Foote tweeted: "Acting in good faith and as a courtesy to colleagues at party HQ, I issued agreed party responses to media inquiries regarding membership.Mr Foote tweeted: "Acting in good faith and as a courtesy to colleagues at party HQ, I issued agreed party responses to media inquiries regarding membership.
"It has subsequently become apparent there are serious issues with these responses."It has subsequently become apparent there are serious issues with these responses.
"Consequently, I concluded this created a serous impediment to my role and I resigned my position with the SNP group at Holyrood.""Consequently, I concluded this created a serous impediment to my role and I resigned my position with the SNP group at Holyrood."
Leadership candidates Kate Forbes and Ash Regan Mr Foote became editor of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail newspapers in 2014.
He was responsible for "The Vow" front page which was seen as being highly influential in the outcome of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
The edition was edited by the Better Together campaign in which they promised more powers for Holyrood.
In an article written for the first anniversary of the vote, Mr Foote wrote that he and colleagues did not believe Alex Salmond was "offering true independence" at the time.
He was appointed the SNP's media chief in 2019.
A spokesperson for the SNP said: "We are disappointed and saddened that Murray felt the need to take this decision.A spokesperson for the SNP said: "We are disappointed and saddened that Murray felt the need to take this decision.
"He has been a great colleague over the past few years, and we wish well him for whatever he decides to do next.""He has been a great colleague over the past few years, and we wish well him for whatever he decides to do next."
Why have SNP members dropped?
Leadership candidates Kate Forbes and Ash Regan
The SNP's membership hit a peak of 125,000 in 2019 as support for the party surged in the wake of the independence referendum but had dropped to 85,000 by the end of last year.The SNP's membership hit a peak of 125,000 in 2019 as support for the party surged in the wake of the independence referendum but had dropped to 85,000 by the end of last year.
That suggests a drop of 12,000 inside a matter of months.That suggests a drop of 12,000 inside a matter of months.
After the most recent membership figures were released, Kate Forbes' campaign manager, Michelle Thomson MSP, said she was pleased that "common sense has prevailed" - but that the "alarming drop in members shows that the party needs a change in direction".After the most recent membership figures were released, Kate Forbes' campaign manager, Michelle Thomson MSP, said she was pleased that "common sense has prevailed" - but that the "alarming drop in members shows that the party needs a change in direction".
Ash Regan's campaign linked the decline to the Scottish government's controversial gender recognition reforms while the party's president Mike Russell suggested cost of living pressures could offer an alternative explanation.Ash Regan's campaign linked the decline to the Scottish government's controversial gender recognition reforms while the party's president Mike Russell suggested cost of living pressures could offer an alternative explanation.
The third candidate in the contest, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, said his two rivals had produced no tangible evidence that would throw the integrity of the election process into question. The third candidate in the contest, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, said it was "really important" the SNP did not lose any more members but said the best way to do this was to continue with the party's "progressive agenda".