SNP leader to step down

IAN Blackford has announced he will step down as the leader of the SNP at Westminster in a bid to welcome “fresh leadership” to the top of the party.

Blackford, who took the role five years ago, will not seek reelection at the party’s AGM next week, he said in a statement yesterday.

The SNP is gearing up to fight the next general election as a de facto referendum following the Supreme Court’s ruling that Holyrood cannot legislate for another vote on independence without Westminster’s consent.

Mr Blackford said: “I have today informed SNP MPs that I will not be re-standing 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.”