Ian Blackford has decided to stand down as the SNP's Westminster leader after more than five years in the post.
The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber informed members of the nationalist group in London about his decision earlier today.
The SNP is gearing up to fight the next general election as a de facto referendum following the Supreme Court's ruling that Holyrood cannot legislate for another vote on independence without Westminster's consent.
In a statement, he 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.
"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.
"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."
Just last week, 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 which 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 Blackford for the top job.
Following the announcement the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon thanked Blackford for his leadership in the Commons.
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."
SNP is in disarray
Opposition parties were quick to hit out at Blackford during his time as Westminster leader.
Christine Jardine, Lib Dems Scottish Affairs spokesperson said: "From his bitter campaign against Charles Kennedy to his mishandling of sexual harassment allegations against an SNP MP, it's clear that Ian Blackford has never been fit to lead.
"He should have stepped aside a long time ago. It's been clear that his SNP colleagues have been pushing him to go and the recent failed leadership challenge was just one indication of their dissatisfaction.
"Ian Blackford knows that the Scottish Liberal Democrats are breathing down his neck in Ross, Skye and Lochaber. While he spends the next two years banging on about breaking up the UK, we will be laser focused on health, education and the cost-of-living crisis; the issues that really matter to the people of the Highlands."
While Labour's Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: "The SNP is in total disarray – the nats are deserting the sinking ship.
"Nationalist MPs know Nicola Sturgeon’s plan for a de facto referendum is finished before its even started and are worried about Labour gaining seats.
"Across Scotland, Labour is growing in strength every single day. At the next election, Scots can do more than just oppose the Tories, we can replace them altogether with a Labour government that grows the economy and creates a fairer, greener future.”
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