A former election rival of SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has urged voters to back him at next week’s poll.
Jean Davies, who stood for the Liberal Democrats in Ross, Skye and Lochaber in 2017, now says Mr Blackford is the “best option to stop Brexit”.
The Press and Journal understands Ms Davies left the party more than a year ago as she was “not particularly keen on Jo Swinson” and disagreed with the Lib Dem position on a second independence referendum.
Ms Davies, penning an online blog, said: “To Ian (Blackford), I am lending you my vote on this occasion.
“It may be a one off but you are the best option to stop Brexit.
“Despite your manifesto it does not mean I support independence but I do think we need to have a further debate and referendum on independence especially if we do end up leaving the EU.
“To my ex-party – you really need to remember your radical roots. It’s all a bit status quo at the moment.”
Mr Blackford said he was “most grateful”, adding: “I recognise that for someone who was the Lib Dem candidate in this constituency last time this is an important step.”
He added: “The SNP is the main challenger in every Tory-held seat in Scotland, and only a vote for the SNP can deprive Boris Johnson of the majority he so desperately craves.”
