An MP has quit a high-profile Westminster scrutiny role – saying it was preventing her spending sufficient time in her constituency.
Aberdeen North’s Kirsty Blackman is stepping down as one of the SNP’s four representatives on the Scottish Affairs Committee.
She said it had proved too much of a “challenge” to fit in the work of the Commons group with her responsibilities in the city.
The mother-of-two was recently rebuked by parliamentary authorities for bringing her children to a meeting of the committee – leading her to call for more family-friendly policies in Westminster.
But aides denied the decision was linked to strains on family life, instead blaming a squeeze on local duties.
Ms Blackman will be replaced by Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock on the committee, which examines the work of the Scotland Office and relations between Westminster and Holyrood.
She said: “It has been a privilege to serve on the Scottish Affairs Committee and I’m proud of the work I have taken part in for over a year now.
“I have made the decision to step down from the committee so I have more time in my constituency.
“As many people know, the committee travels regularly around Scotland and unfortunately for me it was becoming a challenge to spend even more time working away from Aberdeen.”
