AN SNP MSP has been blocked from running for re-election in 2021 after the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) voted for an all-women shortlist.

James Dornan has been the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart since he won the seat from Scottish Labour's Charlie Gordon in 2011.

However, he announced he would be stepping down from Holyrood in February this year, only to renege on the decision four months later. 

The SNP NEC have now voted to impose an all-women shortlist on his constituency as part of an effort to improve the representation of women in the Scottish Parliament.

The move means that Dornan will be unable to defend his seat. 

READ MORE: Senior SNP MSP James Dornan explains why he's standing down

Taking to Twitter, the MSP wrote: "Last night the NEC voted to impose an all women shortlist on the constituents of Glasgow Cathcart, the constituency I have served to the best of my ability for the last 10 years.

"Obviously I am challenging what I consider to be a decision based on a false premise.

"I consider myself to be the best candidate for this constituency, that I live in and grew up on.

"If anyone wishes to challenge me then they should have the courage to take me on, not try to manipulate others into doing their job for them. I intend to stand and will fight to do so."

READ MORE: SNP plan to have all-female shortlists for 2021

In February, Dornan announced he would be stepping down from his role at Holyrood, saying he felt he had "been fighting a one-man battle against [sectarianism] with extremely limited support".

The MSP then changed his mind, saying at the beginning of July: "[The coronavirus pandemic] has brought with it an overwhelming amount of work, much of it new and unusual, for my staff and I to deal with and leaves what I consider to be some unfinished business with constituents, businesses and organisations I have worked closely with over the last nine years.

“A lot of experience is due to leave the Parliament next May and I have decided that, your support forthcoming of course, I want to be given the chance to continue to use the experience I have gained in 14 years of elected politics and, once again, represent the constituency for the next Parliamentary session.

“To that end, I contacted SNP HQ last night to inform them that I wish to be considered for reselection in the Glasgow Cathcart Parliamentary seat.”

The SNP have been approached for comment.