Joanna Cherry QC

She tweeted: “Despite hard work, results & a strong reputation I’ve been sacked today from [SNP] front bench. My constituents & fellow party members who gave me a resounding mandate in recent NEC elections should rest assured that I will continue to work hard for them.”

Dean of Faculty, Roddy Dunlop QC, tweeted: “I don’t care about the politics of this. I do care about justice. [Joanna Cherry] has been an important voice in holding UKGov to account on justice, & on attacks on the legal profession. I hope her replacement is as strong.”

Thomas Ross QC stated: “If the SNP has someone brighter than [Joanna Cherry] in their ranks at Westminster they have been keeping that person pretty well hidden – astonishing move.”

Former justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill said: “I know how highly rated Joanna Cherry is in UK justice circles as well the party grassroots in Scotland. She remains head and shoulders above most others and I for one stand by her. This is the leaderships call but many of us find this inexplicable and harmful to our cause.”