He clarified: “I can’t do that and serve as Westminster Leader as well.”<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier this year, Mr Blackford had denied reports that he was planning to resign from his Wesmtinster post, asserting that the story had been “made up” by people with “too much time on their hands”.<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Blackford continued: “It’s right that I signal to the group that I am still going to carry on serving as MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, servicing my constituents by making sure I am working with the First Minister, working with the party, to build a case.<\/p>\n “It’s right that the group chooses a new leadership to take it forward while I’m concentrating on the tasks that I have [in] delivering that business case for Scotland to become an independent country.”<\/p>\n Despite his plans to step aside, he confirmed he would remain heavily involved in the SNP push for a second referendum on Scottish independence.<\/p>\n Mr Blackford has outlined plans to formally step down at the groups annual general meeting next week.<\/p>\n Read more: Sunak humiliates SNP’s Tommy Sheppard after Indyref2 demands<\/strong><\/p>\n The news of Mr Blackford’s decision to bow out of his Westminster position has come after weeks of speculation concerning growing frustration with his leadership among Scottish MPs.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, The Times reported that senior SNP figures had been forced to step in to block an internal plot to oust Mr Blackford.<\/p>\n The news broke after Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn reportedly informed party officials of his intention to stand for leadership of the Commons group.<\/p>\n Mr Flynn later denied his bid to replace the Westminster Leader in a tweet which read: “I can confirm I’ve no intention of standing.” <\/p>\n Don’t miss: <\/strong> Mr Blackford’s resignation follows the SNP’s disappointment at last week’s Supreme Court judgement.<\/p>\n The court ruled that the Scottish Government did not have the authority to hold a second independence referendum without the consent of the Westminster Government.<\/p>\n First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has asserted she will “accept” the Supreme Court’s judgement but added she was “disappointed” in the decision.<\/p>\n In a statement following the announcement, the First Minister said: “This ruling confirms that the notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership of nations is no longer, if it ever was, a reality.”<\/p>\n She insisted the SNP would use the next Scottish election as a “de facto referendum” to continue their pursuit of independence.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/Ian-Blackford-1704319.jpg?r=1669933436044\")
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SNP deputy whinges Brexit means Scotland has lost control [REPORT]<\/strong>
Fury over Sturgeon plan to spend millions in public money on IndyRef2 [REVEAL]<\/strong>
‘Sturgeon sees Westminster as a scapegoat to cover for her government’ [COMMENT]<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Nicola-Sturgeon-4434655.jpg?r=1669933436182\")
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