Humza Yousaf elected leader of SNP

Humza Yousaf has been announced as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The current health secretary beat Kate Forbes and Ash Regan.

Yousaf will replace Nicola Sturgeon as party leader immediately, but not as Scottish first minster until after a vote by MSPs which is due to take place tomorrow.

The was a 70 per cent turnout from eligible members of the party.

Regan was eliminated in the first round. Yousaf then gained 52 per cent of the vote to Forbes's 48 per cent.

Yousaf said: "It is hard to find the words to describe just how honoured I am to be entrusted by the membership of the SNP to be our Party’s next leader, and to be on the cusp of being our country’s next First Minister.

"To serve my country as First Minister will be the greatest privilege and honour of my life, should Parliament decide to elect me as Scotland’s next First Minister tomorrow.

"And just as I will lead the SNP in the interests of all party members, not just those who voted for me, so I will lead Scotland in the interests of all our citizens whatever your political allegiance.

"If elected as your First Minister after tomorrow’s vote in Parliament, know that I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland, that I will work every minute of every day to earn and re-earn your respect and your trust.

"I will do that by treating you, the people of Scotland with respect."

Image credit: Scottish Government, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons