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Angus Robertson resigns: SNP deputy leader steps down with immediate effect

Former MP says he is ‘no longer able to fully discharge my mandate’ after losing Westminster seat last year

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
Saturday 03 February 2018 14:38 GMT
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Angus Robertson has resigned as deputy leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) with immediate effect.

He is “no longer able to fully discharge my mandate” and wants to “focus on pursuing new career opportunities”, he said.

The former Moray MP lost his seat to the Conservatives in last year’s general election and hinted that no longer holding elected office meant he could not continue in his role.

In a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister and SNP leader, Mr Robertson wrote: “It is with regret that I inform you of my formal decision to stand down as depute leader of the Scottish National Party with immediate effect.

“As we have discussed recently, I believe I am no longer able to fully discharge my mandate, which was to partner you as Westminster SNP leader and as a parliamentarian representing a rural constituency.”

He continued: “While it would be my greatest privilege to continue as depute leader, I know you understand that I have to focus now on pursuing new career opportunities.

“It is for that reason that I believe it is for others to step forward to seek the support of SNP members for the honour to serve as depute leader of Scotland’s largest political party.”

Adding that he was “tremendously honoured” to serve as deputy leader and “immensely proud” of what the SNP has achieved, Mr Robertson said he would continue to “support public policy development in Scotland” as an advisory board member of the Scottish Policy Foundation.

In response, Ms Sturgeon expressed her “immense gratitude” to Mr Robertson.

She wrote: “Our political and electoral success over the last decade has been nothing short of extraordinary – and the party owes you an enormous debt of gratitude for the personal role you have played in bringing about that success.

“You can be very proud of the part you have played in this success.”

She said Mr Robertson had “always been a source of wise counsel” and that she hoped to see him return to frontline politics in future.

Mr Robertson was first elected as an MP in 2001 and became the SNP’s Westminster leader in 2007. He held the post until last year, when he unexpectedly lost the safe seat of Moray to the Conservatives, who saw their vote share surge in Scotland under the leadership of Ruth Davidson.

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