AN SNP MP has announced that he will step down at the next General Election.
Peter Grant, the MP for Glenrothes, said he was unsure whether he would be able to cope with the "physical and mental demands of the job" due to his age.
In a statement published on his website, Grant said:
"After a great deal of soul searching I have decided not to seek re-election.
"Depending on the timing of the election the next Parliament is likely to run until I am 68 or possibly 69-years-old.
"I owe it to everyone to ask myself whether I will be able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job when I reach that age.
"I don't think in all honesty I can give a firm yes to that question and that means in all conscience I can't ask volunteers to campaign for me and ask voters to vote for me when I have doubts in my own mind about my ability to serve a further full time at the level of intensity I know will be needed."
He added: "In politics as in many areas of public life it's important to know when it's time to step down.
"For me that time has not yet come but it is likely to come during the next Parliament and it is fairer on everyone if I acknowledge that now."
Very sorry to read this, Peter is an intelligent, thoughtful and diligent MP, and has been a dedicated servant to @theSNP, his constituents & people of Scotland for many years https://t.co/UzrMeAztz8
— Neil Gray MSP (@neilcgray) June 21, 2023
Scottish Government minister Neil Gray said that Grant had been a dedicated servant of the SNP.
He tweeted: "Very sorry to read this, Peter is an intelligent, thoughtful and diligent MP, and has been a dedicated servant to @theSNP ,his constituents & people of Scotland for many years."
It comes after former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford announced that he, too, would be stepping down as an MP at the next General Election.
