Ian Blackford to stand down as SNP MP at next election

Ian Blackford, the SNP's former Westminster leader, is to stand down as an MP at the next general election.

Mr Blackford has served as MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber since 2015, when he defeated former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

He led the SNP's Westminster group for five years and faced four different Conservative prime ministers at question time in the Commons.

He stepped down from that position in December.

The resignation as group leader avoided Mr Blackford facing a possible challenge from his eventual successor, Stephen Flynn.

Mr Blackford said he had thought "long and hard" whether to stand in next year's general election and that he was "privileged and humbled that people across my home constituency have put their trust in me at three elections".

He added: "Having stood down as SNP Westminster leader, I have gone through a period of reflection as to how I can best assist the party and the cause of independence - a cause I have campaigned for since joining the SNP as a teenager in the 1970s.

"My desire to see Scotland become an independent country, and for our country and its people to achieve its full potential, remains as strong as when I first entered politics decades ago.

"Although I will not be standing for the Westminster Parliament at the next election, I look forward to playing my part in the continuing campaign for Scottish independence and supporting our first minister and the SNP as we go forward to the next election and beyond."

Mr Blackford has been working on producing a paper on Scotland's industrial future, which he said he hoped would lead to "sustainable enhancement in economic growth, driving investment and better paid jobs in Scotland and raising living standards".

He added: "I look forward to finishing this work and continuing as the first minister's business ambassador, on behalf of the SNP."