Highland MP Ian Blackford stands down as SNP Westminster leader
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Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford has revealed he will not return as leader of the SNP group Westminster.
In a statement confirming his departure, he said he feels "now is the right time for fresh leadership at Westminster as we head towards a general election and the next steps in winning Scotland’s independence."
It comes after what appears to be an aborted leadership challenge from Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn who later claimed he had "no intention of standing" despite claims he was "on manoeuvres" by SNP colleagues.
At the time, Mr Blackford was clear that he was going continue to lead the SNP at Westminster and stand for re-election at the group's annual general meeting in December.
It comes amid persistent rumours of in-fighting among the group leading him in March to deny rumours he was considering resigning from the post.
There was an alleged row apparently lasting "weeks" over statements he had made about pensions in an independent Scotland, claims that were denied.
Most significantly in June the handling of complaints against Glasgow MP Patrick Grady was severely criticised.
Grady was eventually suspended from parliament for two days after he was found to have made a sexual advance to a teenage staffer.
'Time for fresh leadership '
Now Mr Blackford has confirmed that he will be stepping down from the role, saying: "I have today informed SNP MPs that I will not be restanding as leader of the Westminster parliamentary group at our AGM next week.
"After more than five years in the role, now is the right time for fresh leadership at Westminster as we head towards a general election and the next steps in winning Scotland’s independence.
"During my time as leader, the SNP won a landslide victory in the 2019 general election, with an increased share of the vote and MPs, and support for independence has continued to grow with polling this week showing a majority in favour.
"While I am stepping down as Westminster leader, I will continue in my role as the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I have also accepted a new role at the centre of the SNP’s independence campaign, leading on business engagement.
"I would like to thank our MPs and staff for all their support over the past five years."
He added: Whoever replaces me as Westminster leader will have my full support as, together, we stand up for Scotland's interests and democratic right to choose our future in an independence referendum."
Lib Dems – 'never been fit to lead'
Responding to the Mr Blackford stepping down, Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine MP did not hold back.
"From his bitter campaign against Charles Kennedy to his mishandling of sexual harassment allegations against an SNP MP, it's clear that Ian Blackford has never been fit to lead," she said.
"He should have stepped aside a long time ago. It's been clear that his SNP colleagues have been pushing him to go and the recent failed leadership challenge was just one indication of their dissatisfaction.
"Ian Blackford knows that the Scottish Liberal Democrats are breathing down his neck in Ross, Skye and Lochaber.
"While he spends the next two years banging on about breaking up the UK, we will be laser focused on health, education and the cost-of-living crisis; the issues that really matter to the people of the Highlands."
'Total humiliation for Nicola Sturgeon'
Scottish Conservative Chairman Craig Hoy MSP, said: “Ian Blackford has jumped before he was pushed. His resignation is a total humiliation for Nicola Sturgeon. She shamefully stood by her Westminster leader earlier this year despite his appalling handling of the complaints made against Patrick Grady.
“This showed a total lack of judgement by Nicola Sturgeon. Ian Blackford should have been sacked immediately for his disgraceful behaviour but he was allowed to stay in post for several months and now gets to dictate the terms on which he leaves.
“It is clear that unlike Nicola Sturgeon, SNP MPs were not prepared to forgive how Ian Blackford put the needs of the perpetrator above the victim who had bravely come forward in this case. Whoever is elected the next leader of the SNP at Westminster must ensure that never happens again.
“The SNP Westminster group are clearly in a state of disarray and Nicola Sturgeon is rapidly losing her grip over her party.”
