SNP MP Mhairi Black will not be standing in the next general election and branded the environment at Westminster "unhealthy'.
She announced the decision in an interview with broadcaster Emily Maitlis after spending almost a third of her life in government. She was just 20-years-old when she first won her Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat, before working her way up and becoming the SNP's deputy leader in the House of Commons, in December last year.
In a tell-all interview with The News Agents, Ms Black claimed the "toxic" environment at Westminster was part of why she won't be standing in the next election.
She said: "I'm tired - is a big part of it - and the thing that makes me tired is Westminster, I think is one of the most unhealthy workplaces that you could ever be in. It's a toxic environment.
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"The entire design of the place and how it functions is just the opposite of everything I find comfortable. It's definitely a poisonous place.
"It's difficult to know if somebody is, certainly from other parties, talking to you because there's a genuine relationship there or whether they are looking for opportunities. You can never really switch off when you're at Westminster.
"It feels like you are spending a lot of your life there. That'll be almost 10 years I have been elected. That's a third of my life I have spent in Westminster which gives me the ick."
She added: "I don't regret spending any of the time doing what I have done. I'm fighting for what I believe in and doing so in a way that I've had the encouragement of others to push me forward and do it.
"The fact that I am younger is partly why I see everything that's wrong so starkly. Its (Westminster) got its own culture and history, which is just still alien to me."
First Minister and leader of the SNP, Humza Yousaf described Ms Black as a 'trailblazer' and role model for young people, especially women, with an interest or a desire to get involved in politics.
He said: “It is difficult to overstate the impact that Mhairi Black has had on Scottish and UK politics. She has been a trailblazer - a passionate supporter of independence, equality, social justice, and simply of trying to make life better for her constituents and the wider Scottish public.
“I know that Mhairi has been critical of the toxic, hostile environment of Westminster, which serves as an important wake-up call to those who are determined to safeguard our democracy. The case for modernising our political system is stark. We must make sure it works for everyone, so we don’t deter people from standing for election or speaking out for what they believe in.
“Despite choosing not to stand again as an MP, I know Mhairi will continue to make an immense contribution to the cause of independence, and I look forward to working with her in advancing our cause.”
Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to Ms Black, tweeting: "Both gutted by and entirely understanding of this. Her reasons resonate.
"But what a loss of a unique talent, not just to the SNP but to politics generally. I only hope it's temporary."
