Legal threat in SNP leadership row

Alex Neil and John Swinney contested the post in 2000

Scottish National Party MSP Alex Neil has threatened to take legal action against colleagues allegedly linking him with a leadership challenge.

Mr Neil insisted he had "absolutely no involvement" in Bill Wilson's decision to stand against leader John Swinney.

Mr Wilson will make his leadership bid at the Scottish National Party's conference in Inverness in September.

Mr Neil, who was defeated by Mr Swinney in a leadership contest three years ago, reacted angrily to suggestions that he was behind the latest challenge.

He said he was "pig sick" of his character being assassinated and was considering his legal position.

Former SNP MSPs Andrew Wilson and Duncan Hamilton have discussed the issue in newspaper columns.

Mr Neil said defamation lawyers were studying the articles.

But SNP deputy leader Roseanna Cunningham said his reaction was "not very helpful" and instead urged him to pursue his grievance another way.

Bill Wilson will launch his leadership challenge in September

She said: "I think that talk of legal action is perhaps a slight over-reaction but no doubt he will take his advice and proceed accordingly.

"If you are extremely concerned about something that has happened inside the party, there are procedures within the party through which you can go."

Mr Neil should use his position in the party's national executive to pursue his concerns, she added.

Ms Cunningham also said she was "surprised" he would not give his unequivocal support to Mr Swinney's leadership.

Sir Neil MacCormick, a veteran SNP figure who is to stand down as an MEP at the next election, has called for an end to the in-party fighting.

He said: "We don't have a leadership problem as we've got a super leader who's doing a grand job.

"I think it would be very good if Bill Wilson, on reflection, decided to withdraw from competition this year and leave the Europe question at the top of the agenda where it belongs."