Ex-SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford to stand down at general election

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s former Westminster leader, announced he will stand down as an MP at next year’s general election.

The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP said he had “thought long and hard” about whether to carry on ahead of the forthcoming SNP candidate selection process.

He said he had been “honoured” to lead the party’s Westminster group between 2017 and 2022 and he would carry on campaigning for Scottish independence after leaving Parliament.

Stephen Flynn ousted Mr Blackford as the party’s Commons leader last December, in a coup conducted against the wishes of Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister.

Mr Blackford has been an MP since 2015, when took his seat from the late Charles Kennedy, in a campaign marred by allegations of bullying and allusions to the former Liberal Democrat leader’s alcoholism.

The former investment banker became a UK-wide political figure after Angus Robertson, his predecessor as SNP’s Westminster leader, lost his Moray seat to Douglas Ross of the Scottish Tories at the 2017 election.

During his tenure, Mr Blackford faced four Conservative prime ministers at Prime Minister’s Questions, but had to deal with deep divisions on the SNP benches behind him.

Disgruntled SNP MPs ousted him last year amid deep unhappiness at aspects of Ms Sturgeon’s leadership and concern that he was too loyal to her to stand up to her.

He had also angered some of his colleagues by urging them to give “absolute full support” to Patrick Grady, the SNP MP who had been suspended for sexual misconduct.

Ms Sturgeon appointed him as an envoy to business for the SNP and a report he has authored on Scotland’s industrial future will be released shortly.

‘A period of reflection’

His decision to leave the Commons at the next election came amid opinion polls predicting that the SNP could lose more than 20 of the 48 seats they won in 2019. The Lib Dems are targeting Ross, Skye and Lochaber.

Mr Blackford told Sky News: “Having stood down as SNP Westminster leader, I have gone through a period of reflection as to how I can best assist the party and the cause of independence – a cause I have campaigned for since joining the SNP as a teenager in the 1970s.

“Although I will not be standing for the Westminster parliament at the next election, I look forward to playing my part in the continuing campaign for Scottish independence and supporting our First Minister and the SNP as we go forward to the next election and beyond.”

Mr Flynn said: “I would like to put on record my thanks to Ian Blackford for the massive role he has played in making the SNP the formidable force it is in Scottish and UK politics.”

Ex-Salmond spin doctor joins Yousaf camp

Mr Blackford announced his departure only hours after Humza Yousaf appointed Alex Salmond’s former chief spin doctor as his top political adviser.

The First Minister made Kevin Pringle his official spokesman and “strategic political adviser” in an attempt to reverse polls showing a sharp decline in support for the SNP amid a police investigation into the party.

The appointment represents a coup for Mr Yousaf as Mr Pringle was extremely highly regarded when he filled a similar role for Mr Salmond between 2007 and 2012.

Announcing his surprise appointment in a column for the Dundee-based Courier newspaper, Mr Pringle said: “Despite all the difficulties and controversies, the SNP still seems to me to retain its hard-earned and relatively recently-acquired status of natural party of government in Scotland.”

However, the SNP’s transport minister announced his resignation after suffering bouts of low mental health since last October.

Kevin Stewart said he had been feeling unwell again for the past week, and could not put in the time required to both serve his constituents and hold ministerial office.

Mr Stewart pledged to continue serving his Aberdeen Central constituents “to the very best of my ability”, and told the First Minister he will support the Scottish Government from the backbenches.