MP's defected to Tories in 'odd tantrum', says SNP president

The SNP president has called on defected MP Lisa Cameron to end her “odd tantrum” after leaving for the Conservatives and hold a by-election in East Kilbride.

Mike Russell said “ego-driven” politics should be put to one side over Dr Cameron’s decision to “cross the floor” to the Tories, blaming a “toxic” culture in the SNP’s Westminster group.

She said she had required counselling after standing up for the young staffer harassed by MP Patrick Grady, claiming she was shunned by colleagues.

Russell denied Dr Cameron’s claims over the poisonous culture within the party, branding her defection “bizarre”.