Alex Neil: Fergus Ewing will beat the SNP in 2026 election
Son of the late SNP trailblazer, Mr Ewing has served as an SNP MSP in 1999, first representing Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber from 1999 to 2011 and then from 2011 for its successor seat Inverness and Nairn.
The long serving MSP today announced he would be standing next year as an independent having previously said he would not be standing as an SNP candidate.
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The former rural affairs secretary said his decision was 'not an easy one' but was driven by disillusionment with the direction of his party and the state of the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Neil, who served with Mr Ewing in Alex Salmond's government, told The Herald: "I can understand why Fergus has taken that decision.
"And in my view if Fergus stands as an independent in that constituency the chances are Fergus will win quite easily."
Former SNP minister Alex Neil (Image: Gordon Terris) Pressed why he thought that was the case, Mr Neil replied: "People are fed up with nodding donkeys, people who just do what they're telt instead of actually standing up for their principles and their areas.
"I think that is the case for all of the parties. Whether at Westminster or Holyrood there are too many people who do not stand up and speak out on the key issues of the day but just wait for their daily instructions from the whips.
"If you really want to be a member of parliament, whether Holyrood or Westminster, you should act accordingly. Very few do and Fergus Ewing is one of the few."
Mr Neil added he thought "bookies would make Fergus the favourite" in the contest from "day one".
Ms Roddick hit back.
"I have always stood up for the Highlands and spoken out on issues that affect all of us who live here, I've never been shy about doing so," she said.
"I am SNP because I share our principles and belief in Scotland - that, as an independent country, we can best serve the people I represent and work hard for every day.
"That's why I was backed overwhelmingly in the local selection contest for Inverness and Nairn, and I look forward to putting that positive vision across during the campaign."
First Minister John Swinney said he is saddened by Mr Ewing's decision "to leave the Scottish National Party".
The former rural affairs secretary has been a vocal critic of the Scottish Government on several issues, often providing fiery contributions from the back benches.
Slow progress on the dualling of the A9 and A96 roads were key to his decision to run as an independent, he said.
He told the Press and Journal: "I cannot stand again for the SNP and defend the indefensible.
"I have taken it (the decision) because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn, and the people of Scotland, more than my party which I have been in for more than half a century."
He added: "I have seen the Scottish Parliament at its best and its worst.
"I fear in recent years it has been at its worst.
"The failures of the SNP to deliver on its longstanding pledges to dual the A9 and A96 are a major part of that."
He told the BBC the SNP had "lost its way" and Holyrood had become "more fractious and tribal than ever before".
Since leaving government, Mr Ewing has criticised SNP ministers on a range of issues, including the decision to bring the Greens into the Scottish Government in the Bute House Agreement, which collapsed last year.
Public finance minister Ivan McKee was asked about Mr Ewing's decision as he spoke to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme on Friday.
He disagreed the pro-independence party had "lost its way", saying: "I don't believe we have, I think under John Swinney's leadership, we're taking forward priorities for the people of Scotland.
"I'm disappointed in Fergus's decision, I have worked with him on a number of things over the years.
"I think he's not correct on this and I think it would be more effective for him to stay in the party and work to deliver the change Scotland needs."
SNP leader Mr Swinney said: "It was with real sadness and deep regret that I heard of Fergus Ewing's decision to leave the Scottish National Party.
"We have both served the SNP and the cause of independence for many years, and I commend him for all that he achieved while serving in the SNP Government until 2021.
"Fergus had the option of standing at the forthcoming election for the SNP, given his status as an approved candidate. He chose not to accept that opportunity and I regret that he has ultimately decided instead to leave the party.
"The SNP approaches the 2026 election ahead in the polls, with growing support for independence, and I am looking forward to taking our positive, ambitious vision for Scotland's future to the people."
The SNP and Ms Roddick have been approached for comment in response to Mr Neil's remarks.
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