Stephen Flynn has been named as the new leader of the SNP in Westminster.

The parliamentary party met for their annual general meeting this evening and voted to appoint him, as well as a new deputy leader in Mhairi Black.

Mr Flynn replaces Ian Blackford who held the role for over five years, but announced his exit last week.

Mr Blackford, who will remain an MP and take on a new role at the centre of the SNP’s independence campaign, said it was “the right time for fresh leadership at Westminster as we head towards a general election and the next steps in winning Scotland’s independence”.

However, SNP sources told Sky News the move was “a long time coming” amid reports of a coup against him – rumours rejected by party leader and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Questioned after his resignation, Mr Blackford avoided directly answering whether he had been pushed out.

Instead he said Ms Sturgeon had asked him to be her business ambassador and said the fight for Scottish independence is “moving into a new phase”.

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