Ian Blackford to step down as SNP Westminster leader
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP says "now is the right time for fresh leadership"
Last updated 1st Dec 2022
The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford has announced he is to stand down from the role.
In a statement the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP has revealed he has informed colleagues he will now be restanding as leader of the Westminster parliamentary group at the party’s AGM next week.
Mr Blackford said he will continue as a member of parliament, in addition to taking on a new role leading on business engagement for the SNP’s independence campaign.
The party plans to run the next general election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence.
"The right time for fresh leadership"
Mr Blackford’s statement reads: “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.
READ MORE: Calls for Ian Blackford to resign amid 'full support' for suspended SNP MP
"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. 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."
Ian Blackford had been under pressure from opposition parties earlier this year after a leaked recording showed him instructing fellow MPs to give their “absolute, full support” to an MP found to have inappropriately touched a teenage staffer.
Patrick Grady, formerly the SNP’s chief whip in London, was found to have made an “unwanted sexual advance” towards the party worker at a social gathering in 2016.
First Minister pays tribute to "outstanding job" done by Ian Blackford
Commenting on Ian Blackford’s announcement that he will not be standing again for leader of the SNP’s Westminster parliamentary group, SNP Leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“I would like to pay tribute to Ian Blackford for his five years as leader of the SNP’s Westminster group.
“He led the group at a time of huge electoral success for the SNP, particularly at the 2019 general election, and has done an outstanding job in holding the Tory government to account and in promoting the case for Independence.
“I would like to place on record my thanks for Ian’s diligence, tenacity, friendship and loyalty in his time as group Leader. He will continue to play an important role as constituency MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I have also asked him to take on a role as part of the wider SNP team preparing the case for Independence.
“I look forward to working with Ian’s successor as group leader at Westminster, as we continue to make the case for the people of Scotland to have a democratic choice on the country’s future.”
Scottish Conservatives claim Mr Blackford "jumped before he was pushed"
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.”