Blackford: ‘I’m just a crofter’

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has been mocked for claiming in the Commons that he is a ‘simple crofter’.

Mr Blackford, Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP, attacked the Chancellor for ‘short-changing crofters and farmers’ in his response to the Budget.

But there were jeers from the opposition benches as he declared his interest in the topic – saying ‘I am just a simple crofter with ten acres’ – due to his long career in investment banking.

Former trade minister Greg Hands attacked Mr Blackford for posturing, saying he could not recall the MP’s crofting habits during his time in the City of London.

Mr Hands said: ‘I have a little bit of doubt about this. I had a career in the City and I don’t recall him being a simple crofter at that time.’