THE leader of East Lothian Council’s SNP Group wants to stand for Holyrood.

Councillor Stuart Currie confirmed he had passed the latest stage in the process to become a candidate.

He posted on Twitter: “I’m pleased to have received confirmation that I have passed the internal candidate assessment process and I am now on the SNP’s approved list of potential candidates for the 2021 Holyrood election.”

However, the Musselburgh ward member was keeping tight-lipped on whether he hoped to be contesting East Lothian – or any other seat – in the upcoming election.

Labour’s Iain Gray, East Lothian’s current MSP, has already confirmed that he will not be seeking re-election in May next year.

When asked by the Courier if he wanted to be the SNP candidate for East Lothian, Mr Currie said he had “nothing to add”.

Currently, the SNP has three confirmed contenders to become the party’s candidate for East Lothian for next year’s election.

Lyn Jardine, former chair of Women’s Aid East and Midlothian, has joined Dunbar and East Linton councillor Paul McLennan – a former council leader – and Iain Whyte, office manager for Paul Wheelhouse MSP and energy minister in the running for the seat.

The party is expected to announce its candidate towards the end of next month.

Haddington and Lammermuir councillor Craig Hoy has already been named as the Conservatives’ candidate, while no other party has announced a candidate.

Labour has confirmed it will have an open selection and a meeting took place on Thursday to look at the timetabling of the process.

Names are expected to be with the party within a matter of weeks.