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Lisa Cameron accused the nationalist party of a \u201ctoxic and bullying\u201d culture after she spoke out about sex pest colleague Patrick Grady.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was \u201cdelighted\u201d at her change of party, while the SNP called for a by-election.<\/p>\n
In a bombshell statement yesterday, the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP said her health has suffered at the hands of the nationalists.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI do not feel able to continue in what I have experienced as a toxic and bullying SNP Westminster group, which resulted in my requiring counselling for a period of 12 months in Parliament and caused significant deterioration in my health and wellbeing as assessed by my GP including the need for antidepressants.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> I experienced the SNP’s toxic culture first-hand and admire brave Lisa Cameron<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI will never regret my actions in standing up for a victim of abuse at the hands of an SNP MP last year, but I have no faith remaining in a party whose leadership supported the perpetrator\u2019s interests over that of the victims and who have shown little to no interest in acknowledging or addressing the impact.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is also true that I have received no contact from party leadership in the past weeks, despite members of every other main political party contacting me to offer support and compassion during what has been an extremely difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n The former NHS clinical psychologist said she had received support from Mr Sunak, adding that it was \u201cin contrast\u201d to the SNP.<\/p>\n Dr Cameron also hit out at the \u201csignificant division\u201d caused by the party\u2019s push for Scottish independence and said she would now focus on policies that benefit the whole of the UK.<\/p>\n Her defection comes on the day she was facing a selection battle to be the SNP\u2019s candidate in the west of Scotland seat.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> The Prime Minister said: \u201cLisa is right that we should aim to do politics better, with more empathy and less division and a dedication to always doing what we think is right.\u201d<\/p>\n Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross added: \u201cLike many ex-SNP supporters, she has realised that her former party is hopelessly divided under Humza Yousaf and incapable of focusing on the real priorities of the Scottish people.\u201d<\/p>\n The sensational move comes after Dr Cameron last month claimed she was \u201costracised\u201d by the SNP for challenging the support given to former chief whip Mr Grady, who was suspended for making a sexual advance to a 19-year-old staff member.<\/p>\n An SNP spokesperson said: \u201cThe people of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow will be appalled they are now represented a Conservative and Unionist MP.<\/p>\n \u201cLisa Cameron should now do the right thing and step down to allow a by-election.<\/p>\n \u201cHer constituents elected an SNP MP, not a Tory, and they deserve to have the democratic opportunity to elect a hard-working SNP MP who will put the interests of Scotland first. On a personal basis, we wish her well.\u201d<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf called on Dr Cameron to resign her seat following her defection.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s the least surprising news I\u2019ve had as leader of the SNP, I must confess.<\/p>\n \u201cLisa Cameron should do the honourable thing, she should resign her seat.<\/p>\n \u201cShe should do the honourable thing by her constituents, who voted for an SNP MP, did not vote for a Conservative MP.\u201d<\/p>\n He said he was confident the SNP could win any by-election and her decision was a \u201cbetrayal\u201d of activists who campaigned for her.<\/p>\n Mr Yousaf added: \u201cTo see somebody who claims to have supported Scottish independence cross the floor to the Conservative and Unionist Party betrays the fact that she probably never believed in the cause in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n
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