BREAKING: Joanna Cherry has said she will not contest a seat in the Holyrood election after an SNP rule change would have meant she and her staff "make themselves unemployed" to be able to do so.

She said: "It is unprecedented in our party’s history of dual mandates to demand that a parliamentarian make themselves and their constituency staff unemployed in order to be eligible to be a candidate.

"It is particularly unreasonable to demand this in the middle of a pandemic. I am not prepared to do it and so unless circumstances change, I won’t be seeking nomination for Holyrood in this election."

Her decision comes after the SNP NEC reportedly decided last night to change the rules around who can stand as a candidate.

Ms Cherry said she did not have "official confirmation of this decision" but and "I understand the information is correct."

She added: "I think that most fair-minded people will see the events of the last few days for what they are."
She said the Edinburgh Central branch had hoped to have her as a candidate in the selection contest ahead but
"this decision makes that impossible."

It would seem to clear the way for Angus Robertson to be the candidate - but will be receive the backing of the local party?