Stephen Flynn elected as new SNP leader at Westminster

Stephen Flynn has been elected as the SNP's new Westminster leader following the resignation of Ian Blackford.

The Aberdeen South MP defeated Alison Thewliss - who is seen as being closer to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - by 26 votes to 17 in a vote of the party's MPs.

Mr Blackford announced last week that he was standing down amid rumours that Mr Flynn was plotting to replace him.

Mr Flynn will face Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

He has already said that he will appoint Mhairi Black as his deputy.

Mr Flynn, 34, had initially been expected to be the only candidate to replace Mr Blackford.

But Ms Thewliss unexpectedly threw her hat in the ring after sources close to Mr Flynn were quoted in the media as saying he intended to replace much of the party's front bench team in the Commons.

There has also been speculation that he could return Joanna Cherry - an outspoken critic of Ms Sturgeon - to a prominent role.

Mr Flynn said SNP MPs would be "relentlessly focused on standing up for Scotland's interests and our democratic right to decide our future in an independence referendum" under his leadership.

He added: "Families across Scotland are paying a devastating price under Westminster control, with Brexit, austerity cuts and the Tory cost of living crisis hammering household budgets.

"SNP MPs will work harder than ever to hold the Tory government to account - and make the case that independence is the essential route to safety, fairness and prosperity for Scotland."

The SNP is currently the third-largest party in the House of Commons with 44 MPs.