Ian Blackford: Former SNP Westminster chief standing down at subsequent election

Ian Blackford, the previous chief of the SNP in Westminster, has advised Sky News he can be standing down on the subsequent election.

Mr Blackford was changed as chief of the independence-backing get together’s Commons delegation on the finish of final yr by Stephen Flynn.

The outgoing MP stated he had been pondering “long and hard” about whether or not he would stand once more, and having determined to not continues to be trying “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”.

Politics newest:
Lockdown-breaking MP suspended from Commons

During his 5 and a half years main the SNP in London, he was a agency ally of Nicola Sturgeon, and had been supplied the job of enterprise ambassador for the get together after shedding his place of energy.

Despite the turmoil of Ms Sturgeon’s departure and the subsequent points throughout the SNP, Mr Blackford stated this may nonetheless go forward.

He added that he has been engaged on a report “mapping Scotland’s industrial future” which can be launched within the coming weeks.

Mr Blackford, 62, was first elected to the House of Commons for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency in 2015, profitable the seat from the late Charles Kennedy.

The seat is now being cut up up as a part of the adjustments to constituency boundaries forward of the anticipated 2024 common election.

Before getting into politics, Mr Blackford labored within the banking sector and presently lives on a croft – or small farm – in his constituency.

During his time as Westminster chief of the SNP, he grew to become recognized for his lengthy questions at Prime Minister’s Questions, which typically drew heckles from MPs across the chamber.

He has been ejected from the House on a number of events, as soon as on account of his frustration on the means Brexit votes had been being carried out, and likewise as a result of he said that Boris Johnson had misled the Commons over partygate.

Mr Blackford confronted criticism for the best way he reacted to considered one of his MPs sexually harassing a employees member.

Click to subscribe to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast

Leaked recordings confirmed he inspired SNP MPs to help Patrick Grady following the allegations.

Current SNP Westminster chief Mr Flynn stated: “I know Ian will be sorely missed by his constituents and colleagues when he stands down as an MP but I am confident that he will have a key role in continuing the campaign for Scotland to become an independent country.”