Ian Blackford said he will step down as the leader of the SNP at Westminster in a bid to welcome "fresh leadership" to the top of the party.Mr Blackford, who took on the role five years ago, will not seek re-election at the party's AGM next week, he said in a statement on Thursday.

Ian Blackford said he will step down as the leader of the SNP at Westminster in a bid to welcome "fresh leadership" to the top of the party.Mr Blackford, who took on the role five years ago, will not seek re-election at the party's AGM next week, he said in a statement on Thursday.