THE SNP’s former depute leader yesterday urged the public to “vote Angus” as he launched his campaign for Ruth Davidson’s seat.

Angus Robertson unveiled a website and asked backers to volunteer and donate to his bid to convince the party to pick him to run in Edinburgh Central next year.

Joanna Cherry MP, whose Westminster constituency takes in large parts of the Scottish Parliament seat, is also seeking selection for the Scottish Parliament race, saying she will quit London if elected there.

But selection processes are currently on pause and The National understands it could be more than one month before branch members around the country get the chance to decide on their preferred candidates.

Meanwhile, some key figures have insisted the Edinburgh Central contest is not a “civil war” within the party.

Some observers, including former SNP Edinburgh Central MSP Marco Biagi, have stated that the Cherry-Robertson battle has been caused by “ideological splits”.

Robertson is seen as a Nicola Sturgeon ally, with Cherry allied to the FM’s predecessor Alex Salmond.

Glasgow councillor Mhairi Hunter, who is close to Sturgeon, described suggestions of a serious divide as “sheer hyperbole”, saying most members have “no interest” in a fall-out that could threaten progress towards independence.

She said: “I am not saying there isn’t an anti-Sturgeon faction – but that doesn’t mean there is a civil war. You need two sides of comparable strength for there to be a war.”

Davidson will not stand for election in 2021 and, with a Tory majority of just 610 votes, Edinburgh Central is seen as a winnable seat.

Both Robertson and Cherry announced their intentions to stand several months ago.

However, announcing the start of his official campaign yesterday, Robertson, who lost his Moray constituency to the Tories in 2017, said: “Edinburgh Central is a key constituency for the SNP to secure a pro-independence majority in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.

“At present Ruth Davidson holds a seat for the Tories with a tiny 610-vote majority. And I believe that I can win here with the support of SNP members and voters of all parties who don’t want to see the area represented by a pro-Brexit MSP.”

He went on: “I grew up in Edinburgh Central, I work here today and this is where I live. And I understand the different issues that matter to people and communities, right across Edinburgh Central.

“So if you want to elect a hard-working local MSP with high-profile national experience, who will support First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and deliver independence, please support my campaign.”

His announcement was welcomed by Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart, who wished Robertson “good luck” on social media.

Cherry – whose landmark court challenge found Westminster had been unlawfully prorogued – has yet to launch her official campaign.

However, she suggested: “The trouble with pitching for Holyrood 2021 as the anti-Brexit candidate is that Brexit has happened. Despite the best efforts of those of us who fought it tooth and nail.

“The issue now is how we secure independence and Scotland’s future in Europe.

“We need a grown-up conversation about policy and strategy. We must provide answers to questions about EU accession, borders, economics and what kind of Scotland we

want. A worthy heir to the enlightenment? Or one where debate is not encouraged?”

While the local contest is being played out on a national scale, Hunter, Biagi and others have emphasised that only SNP members in Edinburgh Central can determine whose name will be on the ballot paper.

And that decision can only be made once the party’s selection procedures have taken place.

Those are suspended amidst internal discussions on equalities measures.

The National understands that its National Executive Committee (NEC) has not met for several weeks.

One NEC member described the situation in Edinburgh Central as a “minefield”.

That individual said: “We had agreed a September contest with candidates putting themselves forward in August. That was agreed before new equalities mechanisms were discussed so possibly there is a bit of drift. As of right now, the intention is to carry on though and vetting is still being undertaken.”