A NUMBER of prospective SNP candidates fear they could be barred from standing for Holyrood in a row over vetting. 

Anyone wishing to be a candidate for next May's election must subject themselves to the party’s "robust consideration" by Monday.

Any activist who has not been vetted by the deadline will be allowed to stand. 

It’s understood this strict time limit also applies to appeals. 

One candidate who described themselves as a “occasional troublemaker,” told The National she had still not been vetted despite applying weeks ago.

Her fear was that the HQ could fail her in the vetting process over the weekend, leaving her with only limited time to appeal. 

“I’m not sure if this is incompetence or a plot to stop anyone who might be a bit awkward, but either way, it’s not great. Especially given how far behind we are with candidate selection compared to just about every other party. Selection should be a matter for local members”.

Chris McEleny, who is mounting a challenge to Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan, said he too was waiting to hear. 

He told The National: “This is an internal process that I am sure has just been a busy time for all those responsible for it, but as someone who has just stood down from leading the SNP on a local authority for the best part of a decade, as well as taking part in national leadership contests for the party, and who was approved to stand in next years Holyrood election only just last year, I’m confident I meet all the competencies required of potential SNP Parliamentary candidates.”

An SNP spokesperson said: "We’ve had a terrific response to our call for candidate applications, and so it takes time to give them all robust consideration.”