Blackford confident over leadership ‘coup’

Ian Blackford broke his silence on reports of a leadership rebellion by claiming he will be around to lead the SNP group out of Westminster “for the last time”.

The claim came days after Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn denied a bid to overthrow the party’s Commons leader.

Mr Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, addressed reports of a plot at an event hosted by the Work Foundation at Lancaster University.

Asked if he is confident he retains the support of a majority of SNP MPS, he replied: “I have been privileged to be a Member of Parliament since 2015 and I’ve been the leader of the SNP since 2017.

“I have to put myself up for re-election every year and I look forward to doing that again.

“I look forward to being the MP that leads the SNP out of Westminster for the last time.”

Mr Flynn said he has “no intention of standing”.

Mr Blackford previously faced calls to resign over his handling of sexual misconduct allegations against MP Patrick Grady.