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SNP MSP to stand down at Holyrood election SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll to stand down at Holyrood 2026 election
(about 16 hours later)
The SNP MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Audrey Nicoll, has announced she will not stand in next year's Holyrood election.The SNP MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Audrey Nicoll, has announced she will not stand in next year's Holyrood election.
The party leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, repesents the area of Aberdeen South and announced his intention to challenge Ms Nicoll for the Holyrood seat in November.The party leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, repesents the area of Aberdeen South and announced his intention to challenge Ms Nicoll for the Holyrood seat in November.
His plan to hold a seat in both parliaments led to a political row, and he ultimately conceded that he had made a mistake and said he would not seek to be both an MSP and an MP.His plan to hold a seat in both parliaments led to a political row, and he ultimately conceded that he had made a mistake and said he would not seek to be both an MSP and an MP.
However, he did not explicitly say whether he still intended to stand for Holyrood, or if he would quit Westminster should he win a Holyrood seat.However, he did not explicitly say whether he still intended to stand for Holyrood, or if he would quit Westminster should he win a Holyrood seat.
He told the Press and Journal newspaper last year, external that he intended to make his decision "after Christmas". He told the Press and Journal newspaper last year that he intended to make his decision "after Christmas".
BBC Scotland News has asked the SNP for an update on Flynn's plans.BBC Scotland News has asked the SNP for an update on Flynn's plans.
On Sunday, Nicoll said she had advised local branch members of her intention to stand down at the next Holyrood elections.On Sunday, Nicoll said she had advised local branch members of her intention to stand down at the next Holyrood elections.
She added: "I look forward to a robust contest to select a strong candidate who will bring life experience, compassion, and respect to the role and give the interests of the constituency their full focus."She added: "I look forward to a robust contest to select a strong candidate who will bring life experience, compassion, and respect to the role and give the interests of the constituency their full focus."
The MSP added that she would continue to work for her constituents until the election.The MSP added that she would continue to work for her constituents until the election.
A spokesman for Nicoll said her decision to stand down was unrelated to Stephen Flynn's interest in her seat.A spokesman for Nicoll said her decision to stand down was unrelated to Stephen Flynn's interest in her seat.
Stephen Flynn said he would make a decision about standing for Holyrood this yearStephen Flynn said he would make a decision about standing for Holyrood this year
Flynn has been tipped as a future SNP leader, but he predicted there would not be a contest to replace John Swinney for "long, long time", adding that he had full confidence in the first minister.Flynn has been tipped as a future SNP leader, but he predicted there would not be a contest to replace John Swinney for "long, long time", adding that he had full confidence in the first minister.
He told BBC Scotland News: "I just want to be part of his team."He told BBC Scotland News: "I just want to be part of his team."
Speaking about Nicoll's decision to stand down, the first minister said, external: "I am very sorry to hear that Audrey Nicoll has decided to step down at the next election. She has made a superb contribution at the Scottish Parliament." Speaking about Nicoll's decision to stand down, the first minister said: "I am very sorry to hear that Audrey Nicoll has decided to step down at the next election. She has made a superb contribution at the Scottish Parliament."