Ian Blackford has introduced he’s stepping down from his function as Westminster chief of the SNP.
“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,” he mentioned.
He mentioned he would proceed along with his function as an MP and that he has accepted a brand new function on the centre of the SNP’s independence marketing campaign, main on enterprise engagement.
“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,” he added in his resignation assertion.
He thanked his workers and mentioned whoever replaces him may have his full help “as we stand up for Scotland’s interests and democratic right to choose our future in an independence referendum”.
SNP sources have informed Sky’s political correspondent Joe Pike that Mr Blackford’s transfer was “a long-time coming”.
Many are tipping SNP MP Stephen Flynn to be his successor.
Mr Flynn, 34, is social gathering’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) spokesperson at Westminster.
He has beforehand denied he was mounting a management problem towards Mr Blackford.
Mr Blackford had beforehand confronted calls to resign over his response to certainly one of his MPs sexually harassing a workers member.
The sufferer, who was inappropriately touched by SNP MP Patrick Grady at a celebration in 2016, informed Sky News earlier this 12 months: “Ian’s position right now is untenable, and it will continue to be so. It will only get worse.”
Mr Blackford was below strain after a leaked recording emerged during which he inspired colleagues to help Mr Grady.
The SNP Westminster chief later launched a press release during which he apologised for the “completely unacceptable” behaviour the sufferer was subjected to, and an exterior evaluate was launched into the help obtainable to workers.
Mr Grady has mentioned he’s “profoundly sorry” for his behaviour after being discovered to have breached Parliament’s sexual misconduct coverage.
Source: information.sky.com”