“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.”
Just last week, Mr Blackford told the Scotsman he “looked forward” to putting himself forward for re-election as the party’s Westminster leader, adding that he hoped to be “the MP who leads the SNP group out of Westminster for the last time”. .
The decision also comes in the week after fellow SNP MP Stephen Flynn knocked down reports he was seeking to challenge Mr Blackford for the top job.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to Mr Blackford, saying he did an “outstanding job in holding the Tory government to account”.
She 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.”
UPDATES TO FOLLOW…
“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.”