ONE of the famous "Glasgow Girls" from Drumchapel has put her name forward to be the next SNP MSP representing Clydebank.

Roza Salih announced today she wanted to take over from MSP Gil Paterson, who announced recently he would be retiring at the May 2021 Holyrood election.

The 31-year-old would be the first refugee - and first woman from an ethnic minority background - elected to the Scottish Parliament if she wins the SNP branch's approval for what will be an all-female shortlist.

Ms Salih ran to represent the Garscadden/Scotstounhill ward in the 2017 Glasgow City Council elections, getting knocked out after the seventh count.

Born in Iraqi Kurdistan, Ms Salih moved to Scotland at the age of 12, taking on the Home Office with three friends at Drumchapel High when a fellow pupil faced deportation.

The "Glasgow Girls" have since been represented on stage and on TV for their campaigning.

She told the Post in a statement: "“I travelled over three thousand miles from Kurdistan to Scotland and I was blown away by how quickly and full-heartedly Scotland and its people welcomed me.

"I would now like to make the slightly shorter journey, just along the road from where I grew up in Drumchapel to Clydebank and Milngavie, where I wish to repay the love and opportunities that Scotland has given me by serving the people of Clydebank and Milngavie in our national parliament.”

Read more: Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson to retire at next election

The campaigner, who currently works for SNP MP Chris Stephens, said she wanted the local party to judge her on her credentials.

She added: "“It would, of course, be a huge honour to become one of the first female BAME MSPs, I do however think that SNP members and voters should consider my candidacy purely on its merits. 

"I have a proven track record as an activist and trade unionist and my time working for Chris Stephens has allowed me to help so many people. Now I’d like to take that experience and use it to help the communities across Clydebank and Milngavie.”