SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has announced he is stepping down from his role.

The MP would have been up for re-election to the post at the SNP MP group’s AGM next week.

He has said after five years he is making way for “fresh leadership”.

Blackford said: "I have today informed SNP MPs that I will not be restanding 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.”

Blackford took over from Angus Robertson when he lost his seat in the 2017 election.

He added: "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.

"While I am stepping down as Westminster leader, I will continue in my role as the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and I have also accepted a new role at the centre of the SNP’s independence campaign, leading on business engagement.”

He said whoever succeeds him will have his full support.

He added: "I would like to thank our MPs and staff for all their support over the past five years.

"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."

Nicola Sturgeon,First Minister, praised Blackford's "diligence and loyalty"

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.”