SNP’s Ian Blackford ‘cruelly’ dumps his spouse for childhood sweetheart

The spouse of the previous SNP chief in Westminster Ian Blackford has been left ‘damaged’ and ‘devastated’ following claims he has been having an affair with a childhood sweetheart, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Mr Blackford, a former funding banker and one of many nation’s wealthiest MPs – who was as soon as mocked by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for describing himself as a ‘humble crofter’ – abruptly ended his 22-year marriage to spouse Ann in November.

He has been pictured grinning and strolling hand-in-hand together with his new lover, Kim Lyons.

Now livid household mates have accused the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP of ‘destroying’ Ann’s life, calling him ’emotionally bereft’.

They say the politician, 62, had been renting a love nest in Cardiff for greater than £1,000-a-month to conduct his affair with Ms Lyons, whom he first met when he was 19, and spent £300 from the couple’s joint checking account on lingerie.

Ian Blackford (left) has been pictured grinning and strolling hand-in-hand together with his new lover Kim Lyons (proper) 

Furious household mates have accused the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP of ‘destroying’ his ex-wife Ann’s life, calling him ’emotionally bereft’

Mr Blackford, a former funding banker and one of many nation’s wealthiest MPs – who was as soon as mocked by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for describing himself as a ‘humble crofter’

He is alleged to have cruelly dumped Ann ‘out of the blue’ simply weeks after the couple, who’ve six grown-up youngsters between them, had returned from a visit to France the place they mentioned shopping for a vacation house.

An in depth household pal informed The Mail on Sunday: ‘Ann was his political rock and confidante. Now, he has ruined her life. She would not sleep, she would not eat. She simply would not recognise him any extra.

‘He has received to be uncovered for who he’s and what he has carried out. He is emotionally bereft. He hides it properly, however he has received two or three sides to him. Friends discovered him and the way in which he spoke to Ann off-putting generally, however he was all the time type to her and guarded her, till now. She feels humiliated.’

Mr Blackford, who owns a portfolio of properties, misplaced the Westminster management in 2021 and is now hoping for a seat within the Lords.

The pal added that being away from the limelight ‘had an enormous bearing on him’ and speculated this will have led to his affair. ‘He completely beloved having his image taken and he beloved the celeb stuff that got here with the job.’ they stated.

‘The household didn’t know something about Kim Lyons till now. He stated that she had tried contacting him over time and final summer season, he started calling her again. Perhaps he simply needed the eye. She known as, and he bit.’

The scale of the affair was laid naked when, after their separation, Mrs Blackford discovered purchases constituted of their joint account.

The pal stated: ‘She noticed that in November, he began shopping for the girlfriend lingerie and jewelry.

‘He began to go for dinners in London, in response to the accounts, and even on cinema journeys. Then, he began taking out greater than £1,000 a month to lease a love nest in Cardiff for him and the brand new lady.’

The pal additionally revealed: ‘Just a few weeks in the past it appears the opposite lady dumped him, however he should have received her again.’

Mr Blackford and Ms Lyons have been pictured final week coming into a tv studio collectively in London.

Last night time Mr Blackford declined to remark. Mrs Blackford refused to remark.