The Scottish politician said it was time for fresh leadership as he confirmed his decision not to stand again at the Westminster group's annual general meeting next week.
The move - which comes after a turbulent few months for Blackford, who has faced plotting from within SNP ranks - is seen by some in the party as a blow to the authority of Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, after her closest aides tried to keep him in post.
SNP insiders said Blackford had agreed to quit after aides became aware that Stephen Flynn, the Aberdeen South MP, had the necessary support among Westminster colleagues to oust him.
Some MPs are understood to be rattled by Sturgeon's decision to turn the next general election into a de facto referendum on independence after the supreme court ruled that only the UK government could allow another poll.
Blackford has faced several attempts by his MPs to force him out after a testing year in which he had to defend himself against bullying allegations from an aide and was accused of mishandling sexual harassment claims against Patrick Grady by a young member of staff.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 02, 2022-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 02, 2022-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Staunton and Colman call for urgent funding for the arts after 16% drop
Imelda Staunton and Olivia Colman have called on all political parties to urgently invest in the arts as research by Equity suggested funding in the UK has dropped by 16% since 2017.
Bands withdraw from Download festival over Barclays' Israel ties
Multiple bands have pulled out of Download festival over Barclaycard being used as its official payment partner, in protest against Barclays providing financial services to defence companies supplying Israel.
Sunak and Starmer both grilled on broken pledges but PM feels heat on trust
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer both faced derision from voters during a live TV event last night, with the prime minister mocked over his record in No 10 and the Labour leader accused of being a \"political robot\".
"There is no strategy' Conservatives' local campaigns in 'disarray'
The Conservative on-the-ground election campaign is descending into \"disarray\" amid a chronic lack of volunteers and strategy and an increasing sense of panic in formerly ultra-safe seats, insiders and opponents have told the Guardian.
Man, 46, arrested in connection with PPE Medpro investigation
An arrest has been made in connection with the criminal investigation into PPE Medpro, the company that was awarded large government personal protective equipment contracts during the Covid pandemic.
Dire adieu: French pop star Françoise Hardy dies at 80
Françoise Hardy, whose elegance and beautifully lilting voice made her one of France's most successful pop stars, has died aged 80.
Israel and Hamas guilty of war crimes, says UN body
A UN investigation has accused Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on and since 7 October, the date of Hamas's surprise attack on Israel.
Starmer to put economy at heart of manifesto
Keir Starmer will today put economic growth and wealth creation at the heart of Labour's offer as he unveils a business-friendly manifesto targeted at former Conservative voters.
Sunak aide bet on election date before announcement
‘I should have thought how it looks,’ says PM’s private secretary
Butler challenges England to avoid run-rate obsession
Jos Buttler has urged his England players not to get sucked into a state of desperation this week regarding net run-rate as they try to resurrect their T20 World Cup defence from a perilous position.
