Humza Yousaf has been elected the first minority ethnic leader of the Scottish National party, in a narrow victory which will force him to confront deep divisions within his party.
He is almost certain to be confirmed as Scotland’s next first minister after the Scottish Greens said they would back his nomination on Tuesday, but he faces a significant internal challenge bringing the SNP’s warring wings together.
Widely seen as Nicola Sturgeon’s preferred successor, Yousaf defeated his closest rival, Kate Forbes, by a narrower than expected 52% to 48% but only after second preference votes cast by supporters of Ash Regan, the candidate who came last in the first round, were counted. The turnout was 70%. Continue reading