SNP forced into major U-turn after plan to hold leadership contest in SECRET sparked outrage
The SNP's race to replace Nicola Sturgeon was set to take place behind closed doors
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The SNP has been forced to U-turn on plans to ban media outlets from attending leadership hustings after outrage the party was "hiding from proper scrutiny".
Events organised for members to grill the candidates vying to replace Nicola Sturgeon had originally been planned to take place behind closed doors.
The party's ruling executive committee which sets the rules of leadership elections said the decision was taken as it wanted hustings to be "a safe space for members".
But it backtracked this morning amid public outcry and all three leadership hopefuls - Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf - issuing statements supporting the media's involvement.
The SNP's three leadership candidates had all criticised the decision
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Forbes called for media to be allowed access, as well as for the events to be streamed live to allow party members and the general public to watch.
A spokesman for Yousaf said he had "no problem with the media seeing any of the hustings", and Regan said she believed candidates "have a duty to be held to scrutiny".
The first hustings event takes place today in Cumbernauld.
One camera will now be allowed in, with the footage shared among broadcasters.
A spokesman for the SNP's national executive committee said: "We are in discussion with media outlets making a request for access to our members’ hustings event in Cumbernauld, and we’re already looking at ways to make content available to our wider membership for the remainder of this series of events."
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross had accused the SNP of "once again hiding from proper scrutiny" after its initial decision.
He added: "The public deserve to hear the priorities of candidates standing to be the next first minister of Scotland."
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar tweeted: "Why don't they want the public to hear from 'the best talents in the SNP'? Embarrassing."
Nicola Sturgeon will remain in post until her successor is elected
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In its original statement, the SNP had said: “SNP members are the lifeblood of our party and our movement.“
It is the members who will be voting for the next leader of the party, so the SNP NEC has designed the party hustings as a safe space for members to ask questions of the three candidates.”
SNP members will vote for who they want to take over as party leader between March 13 and March 27 with the result made public shortly afterwards.
Sturgeon is remaining in her position until her successor has been elected.