Nicola Sturgeon turned down an opportunity to back her deputy after he became embroiled in lurid allegations.
Stewart Hosie and Shona Robison, the health secretary and one of Ms
Sturgeon’s best friends, revealed their separation to The Courier at the weekend.
Allegations have since surfaced that Dundee East MP Mr Hosie had a relationship with a Westminster journalist, who sources claim was previously involved with fellow SNP MP Angus MacNeil.
Ms Sturgeon was asked repeatedly by journalists if she had confidence in Mr Hosie.
She replied: “He is elected as deputy leader of the party. This is a private
matter and I have no further comment to make.”
But Holyrood insiders have said the marriage split at the top of the SNP is causing a “major headache” for Ms Sturgeon.
One said the incident pours cold water over the SNP’s claim they are leading the opposition at Westminster, branding the Nationalist group in London “more Jeremy Kyle than the West Wing”.
The senior Scottish Parliament source said: “This sordid episode raises big questions over party management.
“This is a major headache for Nicola Sturgeon and puts her in a hugely
difficult position given her friendship with Shona Robison and Stewart Hosie’s party role.”
Scottish Conservative Bill Bowman warned of the implications for Dundee East residents if Mr Hosie and Ms Robison are unable to have a working relationship in the constituency they represent in Westminster and Holyrood respectively.
Mr Bowman, a Dundee East candidate in this month’s election, said: “What’s paramount is that this incident does not lead to a reduced representation for them.”
An SNP source denied claims the split has caused leadership problems in the party.
Last night it emerged Mr Hosie had been re-elected to his deputy post along with the other members of the Westminster group leadership.
