INVERCLYDE Council's leader has announced plans to step down from the role in March.
Announcing the move on Twitter, SNP councillor Christopher McEleny said the role had given him "invaluable" experience in politics.
He was one of the main proponents of the "Plan B" resolution at the that would bypass the need for a second referendum on independence if a majority voted for parties in favour of leaving the UK in the 2021 Holyrood election.
McEleny was booed by some delegates at the party's recent annual conference in Aberdeen.
In a statement, he said: "I have been lucky to be at the sharp end of politics for the past seven years and the experience I have gained is invaluable.
"It is for that reason that I believe the party will be stronger as a whole if others are afforded the opportunity to gain the experience I have benefited from as the council group leader, therefore I shall be stepping down as SNP leader in Inverclyde."
McEleny said he would continue to serve as a councillor.
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