A YOUNG Catalan activist will today announce she is to challenge long serving MSP John Mason to become the SNP candidate for his constituency.

Valentina Servera Clavell received a standing ovation when she addressed thousands of party members at the SNP’s conference last year following the sentencing of Catalan politicians over their involvement in the 2017 independence referendum.

The 21-year-old went on to address The National’s independence rally in Glasgow and joined Nicola Sturgeon on the SNP’s general election campaign battle bus ahead of polling day in December.

She had earlier thrown her hat into the ring to get selected as the SNP candidate in Clydebank and Milngavie.

But speaking to The National last night, she said she now backs former Glasgow Girl Roza Salih to be the SNP candidate there and is instead entering the Glasgow Shettleston contest.

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“I have withdrawn my candidacy from Clydebank and Milngavie, and I give all my support to Roza Salih, and I hope we can both work together one day in our Parliament,” she said.

“I want to help increase the representation of new Scots and more important young women, that’s why I have put my name down for Glasgow Shettleston, my local branch”.

She added: “As someone that lives and studies in Glasgow, a city that has become my home, a city that has welcomed me from day one, I want to work to improve our constituency and deliver independence”.

“I know I can be a breath of fresh air for the constituency, and I have great ideas that I want to implement and improve the life of my constituents, but it’s on their hands now to decide”.

Mason is already being challenged by South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon for the Glasgow Shettleston nomination. He is a party veteran who has been the Shettleston MSP for nine years but has provoked controversy over comments he has made.