THE Deputy First Minister has said there is a “debate to be had” about SNP MPs' role at Westminster following calls from senior figures to consider withdrawing parliamentarians.

The Sunday National exclusively told how depute leader Keith Brown said the “shambolic events” in the House of Commons over the party’s bid to have a debate on a Gaza ceasefire raised questions about the ability of Scotland’s representatives to have their say in the chamber.

Instead of an opposition day debate on the conflict in the Middle East, MPs became embroiled in a row over parliamentary procedure.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle broke convention and allowed a Labour amendment to be brought forward, scuppering chances of a vote on the SNP’s motion.

READ MORE: Keith Brown: It’s time to re-examine case for withdrawing from Westminster

The row meant most of the focus was on whether or not Hoyle should lose his job, and prevented Labour leader Keir Starmer from a major rebellion by his MPs.

Hoyle would later reject the SNP's bid for a second debate on a Gaza ceasefire, despite promising he would allow one to go ahead.

Brown said the row showed Labour are “unrepentant about the illegitimate thwarting of the SNPs Opposition Day debate”.

Asked about the Sunday National’s front page on the BBC Sunday Show and her views on withdrawing MPs from the Commons, Robison said: “I think our SNP parliamentarians at Westminster have an important role to play in leading on issues like, for example, Gaza.

“When they brought forward a debate that recognised, for example, the need for an immediate ceasefire, talked about collective punishment of millions of people. I think that is where the SNP is best in leading on these issues.

The National:

“There is a debate to be had in terms of the role of our parliamentary group but from my perspective, they are best when they are highlighting key important issues and leading from the front, as they have been doing on the issue of Gaza.”

Asked if she was worried by talk of them withdrawing by journalist Martin Geissler, Robison said: “I’m not aware that they are…”

Geissler added that “revisiting” their role was a start in those discussions, Robison said: “I think what they're focused on and I know that Steven Flynn as a leader is focused on is making sure the SNP continue to lead on the issues that people are concerned about, like Gaza, and that's what they'll continue to do, quite rightly.”

The comments by Brown prompted varying responses from SNP MPs.

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The SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, Pete Wishart, wrote: “This is interesting territory and we do need to reassess our role at Westminster, particularly after last week's contempt shown towards us.

“It can't be business as usual and we have to look at where we can be most effective in securing our nation's independence.”

However, Glasgow South MP Stewart McDonald said: “We waste time and do ourselves a disservice by reaching for these types of approaches and pretend they represent a serious strategy, which mainstream Scotland would have no truck with it - because it’s not a strategy. It’s an emotional spasm.

“And imagine, when you realise it doesn’t work and has instead damaged the party and the cause, trying to overturn this position in years to come.

The National: Keith Brown

"How would you even get a hearing from the public? If you go down this road there’s no coming back.”

The comments by Brown (above) come after a report suggested SNP MPs would “disengage” with Westminster following the row over the Gaza ceasefire debate.

However, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn denied the claim which was made by the BBC, writing on Twitter/X: “Until we achieve our independence, we will never leave Scotland voiceless in Westminster.”