Audrey Elizabeth Nicoll (née Gibb; born 1961)[1] is a Scottish politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine since 2021. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has represented the Torry/Ferryhill ward in the Aberdeen City Council since 2019

Early life

Nicoll was born Audrey Gibb in Aberdeen.[2] She worked as a detective sergeant police officer in both uniformed and specialist roles, retiring in 2015.[3][4] After retiring, she gave lectures in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice at Robert Gordon University.[5]

Political career

On 21 November 2019 she was elected to Aberdeen City Council in the by-election for the Torry/Ferryhill ward.[6]

On 7 May 2021 in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election she was elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine.[7][8]

In November 2024, Nicoll was involved in a dispute with SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who announced his intention to stand as the SNP candidate in Nicoll's Holyrood constituency at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. Flynn's decision to double-job between the Westminster and Holyrood parliaments was controversial, with figures both in and outside the SNP speculating that Flynn had asked Nicoll to stand aside for him.[9][10] Nicoll issued a statement declaring her intent to stand again in her constituency in the 2026 election: "As a constituency MSP, my focus will remain to work tirelessly for constituents regardless of any internal party selection processes. I look forward to any contest, where of course it will be for branch members to select those they wish to represent them in Holyrood in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections."[11] Flynn explicitly denied suggestions that he had asked Nicoll to step aside, and said that he had had a "fairly cordial conversation" by phone with Audrey Nicoll. A source close to Nicoll, however, told BBC Scotland that she had perceived an "underlying inference" in the phone call that he wanted her to stand down.[12] Facing significant criticism, on 21 November 2024, Flynn announced that he would not seek a dual mandate to stand in both Westminster and Holyrood.[13]

On 9 February 2025, Nicoll announced that she would stand down at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.[14] A spokesman said her decision to stand down was unrelated to Stephen Flynn's interest in her seat.[15] She later told The National “By the time you reach my age, and especially having worked in a male-dominated work environment for 31 years, I’m not in the game of being pressurised by men into doing something that isn’t right for me”.[16]

Personal life

Nicoll is married to Alex Nicoll, the SNP's group leader in Aberdeen.[2]

References

  1. ^ Hall, Jamie (16 November 2016). "North-east candidate profiles: Aberdeen South and North Kincardine". Evening Express. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "COUNCILLORS | Aberdeen SNP". aberdeensnp.org. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  3. ^ Beattie, Kieran (14 October 2019). "SNP reveal candidate for upcoming by-election in Aberdeen". The Press and Journal.
  4. ^ McCall, Chris (7 April 2021). "Scots still have faith in police despite 'challenging' year ,says SNP candidate". Daily Record. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  5. ^ Nicoll, Audrey. "Meet the SNP candidate for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine: Audrey Nicoll". The National. Herald and Times Group. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  6. ^ Merson, Adele (22 November 2019). "'Thumping' victory for SNP in Aberdeen by-election". Evening Express. Aberdeen Journals Ltd. DC Thomson Media. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Scotland Election 2021". BBC News. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Session 6 Criminal Justice Committee". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Flynn aims to stand for SNP at Holyrood election". BBC News. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  10. ^ Mitchell, Jenness (12 November 2024). "SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn aims to become MSP at next Holyrood election". Sky News. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  11. ^ "SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll speaks out on Stephen Flynn's bid to replace her". The National. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Flynn: Reaction to 2026 Holyrood bid 'not pleasant'". BBC News. 17 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Flynn will not seek dual mandate to become MSP". BBC News. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  14. ^ "'I'm not in the game of being pressurised by men', declares SNP MSP as Stephen Flynn bid looms". The Scotsman. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  15. ^ "SNP MSP to stand down at Holyrood election". BBC News. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  16. ^ "SNP MSP: 'I wasn't pressured to stand down to clear path for Stephen Flynn'". The Herald. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
Scottish Parliament
Preceded by MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine
2021 – present 		Incumbent


Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Nicoll
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