Nicola Sturgeon's sister lashed out at two of the SNP's leadership candidates this weekend, claiming she would "rather vote Tory" than for them.
Gillian Sturgeon attacked Kate Forbes and Ash Regan for being out to "cause trouble".
It came after Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, was forced to quit his role as SNP chief executive amid a row over the party's membership.
Forbes and Regan had questioned the integrity of the SNP leadership election process after warning there were serious questions about his running of the party.
Peter Murrell resigned with immediate effect on Saturday
PA
In a highly charged Facebook post, the sister of the outgoing First Minister wrote: "I may lose fb friends but as I always do, I’ll say it anyway.
"Two females just now out to cause trouble and cast assumptions with no evidence.
"Puppets on someone’s string no doubt and it’s not difficult to work out who."
She said that she "would not want either running my country", calling the pair "shameful and disgraceful".
Sturgeon added: "I’d rather vote Tory than either of them and believe me that’s a very strong admission. That’s how angry I am."
Murrell resigned on Saturday with immediate effect after reports suggested members of the SNP’s ruling National Executive Committee threatened a vote of no confidence in him.
He admitted to having misled the media over a severe drop in the number of party members.
Forbes and Regan raised concerns about how Murrell could be trusted amid the row, especially given his links to Sturgeon.
Kate Forbes and Ash Regan both criticised the process
PA
The outgoing First Minister added that it was "right" her husband resigned.
She said: "He had intended to step down when there was a new leader but I think he was right to make that announcement today [Saturday].
"Peter has been a key part of the electoral success we have achieved in recent years and I know there will be a recognition of that across the party."
