SNP elects Dave Doogan as new Westminster leader to replace Stephen Flynn

The SNP has elected a new Westminster leader to succeed Stephen Flynn, after he won a seat in the Scottish Parliament. Dave Doogan, who is the MP for Angus and Perthshire Glens, said he would focus on the cost of living and securing independence. The SNP described his appointment as an "orderly transition", in an apparent dig at Labour's leadership turmoil. Flynn said he would step down as an MP in the coming days, after winning the Holyrood seat of Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine in the election last week. Another SNP MP who was elected to Holyrood - Stephen Gethins - also has to quit his Westminster seat. That means there will be two by-elections in the Westminster constituencies of Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Doogan was unanimously elected Westminster leader by a vote of SNP MPs. The former aircraft engineer, said: "Following a swift timetable for an orderly leadership transition, I'm delighted to have been elected as the new SNP Westminster Leader at a crucial time for Scotland's future and our journey to independence. "While Westminster is, yet again, consumed by chaos and bitter infighting, I will be laser-focused on the issues that really matter to