NICOLA STURGEON has found herself in the firing line as the party she once led comes to terms with its first national defeat in over a decade.

Saturday’s recount in the Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire constituency proved not only to be the final result in the 2024 general election but the final insult for the SNP as Drew Hendry’s  seat became the last of its 39 losses, as its total fell to just nine: its worst result since 2010.

For the defeated candidate in Edinburgh South West Joanna Cherry there was little doubt where the blame lay.