SNP MP 'bullied by own colleagues' with treatment sparking panic attacks
An SNP MP has said she had panic attacks after what she described as "group bullying" by party colleagues in Westminster
PA
An SNP MP has claimed she had panic attacks after what she described as "group bullying" by party colleagues in Westminster.
Dr Lisa Cameron claimed the incidents occurred after she challenged support given to former chief whip Patrick Grady.
Grady was suspended from the Commons and forced to apologise in Parliament after he was found to have acted inappropriately towards a party staffer.
Cameron said she felt "hostility" from parliamentary colleagues, accusing MPs of not engaging with her.
Stephen Flynn said: 'The comments that have been made in relation to the group don't reflect my experience of the situation down in Westminster.'
PA
She made the comments during a selection contest as the party decides who will stand as a candidate in her seat of East Kilbride.
The MP said that, if she is not selected, she may quit with immediate effect in order to trigger a by-election.
She said she will consider her position after the selection context has concluded.
Speaking to the Scottish Daily Mail, she said: "Basically, the SNP gave me panic attacks.
"For months people wouldn't speak to me, some people when I would go into a room would just behave as though I was not there.
"I'm not saying people should have to speak to someone if they don't wish to, but it felt very much like a group bullying mentality, almost like a sort of team bully."
She took aim at the party leadership, claiming it "basically issued a directive to support the perpetrator".
Cameron said she had wanted the party to take a "victim-led approach", claiming her suggestion was "basically ignored" - after which time the "hostility" is alleged to have started.
The MP for East Kilbridge said she told SNP Wesminster whips that she was undergoing counselling as a result of the experience.
She told the Scottish Mail that she had about "12 months of counselling records that go along with this".
First Minister Humza Yousaf said the party is "in the middle of a selection contest", saying that there should be "robust debate" as part of this.
The SNP leader added: "It will rightly be up to local branches to make a decision and local members to make a decision who they want to represent them in the upcoming general election."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Humza Yousaf said the party is "in the middle of a selection contest", saying that there should be "robust debate" as part of this
PA
Meanwhile, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn said: "The comments that have been made in relation to the group don't reflect my experience of the situation down in Westminster.
"If Lisa wants to discuss that with me she is more than welcome to do so."
The SNP has been contacted for comment.
You may like
