Ian Blackford was given a brutal grilling by Kay Burley this morning on quitting the “crumbling” SNP and Scottish independence being “as far away as ever”.
The Sky News host put a series of searing questions to the SNP MP, who yesterday announced he is stepping down at the next general election.
Ms Burley pressed the former SNP Westminster leading on whether he is walking away because the nationalist party is engulfed in chaos amid a police probe into its finances.
The presenter also put it to him that he is “never going to see” Scotland break away from the UK in his lifetime.
But Mr Blackford insisted independence will happen and that new SNP leader Humza Yousaf is “going to surprise people”.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford steps down in 663-word statement that doesn’t say why
On Mr Blackford’s decision to quit as an MP, Ms Burley asked: “Is it because your party’s crumbling?”
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP replied: “No because I’m as committed as I’ve ever been to make sure we finish the job and I want to be part of that.
“I want to make sure I’m supporting Humza Yousaf. I think Humza is going to surprise people as to what he can do as First Minister.
“He’s got a good team around him, a good team of ministers and advisers. And I’m very much looking forward to the challenges we’re going to be facing.”
Ms Burley asked: “You’re never going to see independence in your lifetime though are you?”
Mr Blackford said: “I want to make that sure we do. I joined the SNP in 1978, it’s been a long time and I’ve got this burning desire to make sure we can change Scotland for the better.
“I want to grow the economy, I want to see this green revolution, the jobs we can get, to make sure we utilise the strength we’ve got in our academic sectors, get the start-ups that come out from that and give people hope that we can do better.”
Ms Burley pressed: “Yes but are you going to see independence in your lifetime?”
Mr Blackford said: “I actually firmly believe that we will do.”
The Sky News presenter put it to him that “it’s as far away as ever at the moment”.
The SNP MP replied: “What we need to do is to show to the people of Scotland that we’re worthy of their trust.
“And that we’ve got a vision of a Scotland that would be back in the EU, one that puts people at the heart of that.
“We’ve got the opportunity to increase our green energy output about fivefold over the course of the next few decades.
“Let’s make sure we get the jobs out of that and let’s make sure we can show people there’s a better way, a better future. I know we’re capable of doing that.”
