Humza Yousaf says toxic leadership contest would harm SNP and independence movement

Outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf has told Sky News the SNP and independence movement would be harmed by a toxic leadership contest.

Mr Yousaf, who this week announced he was standing down as SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister, refused to be drawn on his party’s future direction, and said any suggestion of him being forced out of office to make way for John Swinney was “complete and utter rubbish”.

The departing leader refuted that Scottish independence was further away than ever before but admitted there’s no “shortcut” to Indyref2.

And having “reflected” on his role in last year’s bruising leadership campaign, Mr Yousaf is urging potential candidates to support each other rather than talk each other down.

In an interview with Sky’s Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, Mr Yousaf said he expects a “rollercoaster of emotion” over the coming weeks and months.

He said: “I will certainly be regretting the way it ended.”

Mr Yousaf was forced to resign following the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement.

Within hours of the power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens coming to an end, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross announced he would be bringing a motion of no confidence in the first minister.

Angry over the way the party was dumped from government, the Scottish Greens announced its MSPs would be backing the motion.

Scottish Labour then announced it was also planning a motion of no confidence in the Scottish government.

All eyes were on Alba Party MSP Ash Regan, whose vote could potentially have played a key role in Mr Yousaf’s future.

Mr Yousaf reached out to his political opponents in an effort to stem the uprising but conceded that he had “underestimated the level of hurt and upset” his actions had caused Scottish Green colleagues.

The first minister denied that he had been planning to make a deal with the Alba Party’s Ms Regan in order to remain in his post.

He said he called Ms Regan back on Monday morning to acknowledge “a number of asks”, but said he’d come to the conclusion that he “wasn’t prepared to trade in my principles or my values or do deals with whomever in order to just stay on”.

‘Hundreds’ urged Yousaf to stay on

The search is currently on to find a new leader for the SNP and Scotland.

Mr Yousaf intends to remain in post until his successor is announced.

The SNP is now accepting nominations, which will close at noon on Monday 6 May.

Former deputy first minister Mr Swinney and ex-finance secretary Kate Forbes have emerged as potential frontrunners.

Mr Yousaf denied he was pushed out by those around him to let Mr Swinney come in and take over.

He said: “It’s complete and utter rubbish, complete nonsense.”

The first minister said he had received hundreds of messages from MSPs, MPs and councillors, all urging him to stay on and find a way through the motion of no confidence.

But, having decided to resign, Mr Yousaf refused to be drawn on whether his party needs fresh faces and a new perspective.

He said those considering running should be given the “time and space” to talk to their families as they come to their decision.

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‘Talk your candidate up’

Mr Yousaf pleaded for leadership candidates to be supported, which comes after last year’s contest to replace the then first minister Nicola Sturgeon that saw Mr Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ms Regan trading blows during lively televised debates.

He said: “I was part of that leadership contest last time. I’ve got to reflect on my own role in that.

“It is of no good to the party nor the independence movement if any candidate or those close to them are talking the other candidate down.

“So my appeal, direct appeal to John, to Kate, to those who support them, or indeed any other potential candidate, is talk your candidate up.

“John and Kate both have many attributes – very, very good attributes indeed. Talk them up, don’t talk the others down, because the only people who benefit are our opponents”.

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Verdict on independence and SNP’s legal woes

Speaking about independence, Mr Yousaf said: “Popular support for independence is frustratingly close, but we’ve just got to keep working harder to get that popular support.”

He added: “I’m not pretending to you there’s a shortcut. There isn’t. I wish there was. Trust me, we would have found it by now.”

Mr Yousaf said the SNP has around 70,000 members, but admitted he couldn’t remember the last time he checked.

The first minister admitted Police Scotland’s probe into the SNP’s funding and finances had been “tough” for the party.

Operation Branchform has seen ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell arrested and charged in connection with alleged embezzlement.

His wife, Ms Sturgeon, and former party treasurer Colin Beattie have also been arrested and released without charge as part of the inquiry.

Mr Yousaf said: “It is been a difficult challenge, I’m not going to pretend otherwise. It would be foolish for me to suggest otherwise.”

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What next for Yousaf?

The first minister also said he was “very proud” of what his government has managed to achieve during his time in office.

He highlighted that this year it has been estimated that 100,000 children will be lifted out of poverty due to Holyrood’s actions.

But what next for Mr Yousaf personally?

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He expects a stint on the backbenches and will continue to promote positive masculinity, the first minister said.

His interest in international affairs will see him continue to call for peace, particularly in Gaza, where he said the “atrocities continue”.

Mr Yousaf added: “I’m not quite sure exactly what I’ll be doing. But after serving as a government minister for 12 years, I’m quite looking forward to a period in the backbench as well and having a quieter life.”

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