IAN Blackford has said that there is “not even a semblance of truth” in the idea he was friends with Boris Johnson.
The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber announced he will step down as Westminster leader and opened up on his time in the role in an exclusive interview with the Sunday National.
During his time in the role, Blackford faced off against four prime ministers - Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
“Let me just squash one thing completely – this idea that Boris Johnson and myself were pals”, Blackford said.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford opens up on his five years as the SNP Westminster leader
He continued: “[Johnson] kind of looked at me the other week and said it took me three years to come to terms with you, and then we knew what to do.
“That was when he started saying that ‘Ian and I are friends’ and I found out it was one of his special advisers that told him to do that. So that is where it came from.”
Blackford opened up on the Tory leaders he has faced off against in the same interview, saying that Johnson had “besmirched” the office of prime minister.
It remains to be seen who will assume the role of the SNP’s leader in Westminster. A new deputy will also be appointed after Kirsten Oswald announced she would also be stepping down.
Stephen Flynn is the current favourite for the job whilst Alison Thewliss has also entered the contest.
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