IAN Blackford has said that work has already begun in his new role as the SNP’s independence business ambassador.
In an interview with Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV, the Skye MP said that he had already undertaken two meetings and that he had been “unleashed” in his new capacity.
Blackford announced his resignation as the SNP’s Westminster leader last week and has since been replaced by Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn.
In the course of the interview, Blackford said that politics was a “dirty business”, adding: “Some people probably wanted to see the end of my backside off the front bench.”
"Politics is a dirty business... Some people wanted to see my backside off the front bench!" Following his resignation, Former SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford believes he could have fought off doubts about his leadership.@JKyleOfficial | @Ianblackford_MP | #JKLive pic.twitter.com/9o5oDBDJpc
— Jeremy Kyle Live (@JeremyKyleLive) December 7, 2022
Blackford went on to say that he believed he would have retained his Westminster position had he contested it.
He said: “I could have seen this off.
“I believe I would have won if I put myself forward. Under our system, I have to stand for leader every year at the annual meeting – I’ve actually gone through six annual meetings and been re-elected.”
During his time as the SNP’s Westminster leader, he said that Theresa May was the most courteous of the prime ministers that he had dealt with but also doubled down on his efforts to quash rumours that he and Boris Johnson had been friends.
"I'm glad he's gone, he's done a lot of damage in the time he's been here!" Former SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford says he is "absolutely" not friends with Boris Johnson and believes the former PM has "poisoned" politics.@JKyleOfficial | @Ianblackford_MP | #JKLive pic.twitter.com/Agd3dGvNwv
— Jeremy Kyle Live (@JeremyKyleLive) December 7, 2022
He described the Johnson as a “chancer and a charlatan”, adding that he had never been for a drink with him.
"I'll support whoever takes over, Stephen Flynn has my best wishes." Former SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford says he has "moved on" and is free to have discussions elsewhere since he stepped down from his role in Parliament. @JKyleOfficial | @Ianblackford_MP | #JKLive pic.twitter.com/9kkcd8qVz6
— Jeremy Kyle Live (@JeremyKyleLive) December 7, 2022
Blackford also offered his support to Flynn in taking up his new position, saying that would be “loyal”, stating: “I’ll support whoever takes over – Stephen has taken over. He has my best wishes, as does Mhairi Black his deputy.
“At the end of the day I’ve moved on. There’s an opportunity there and Stephen has taken that. He has all my best wishes.”
