Humza Yousaf needs the SNP to have a “unified voice” and plans to talk to members amid requires Nicola Sturgeon to be suspended from the get together.
The first minister has already mentioned he won’t droop his predecessor after she was arrested and later launched with out cost following a police probe into the SNP’s funding and funds.
Following Ms Sturgeon’s arrest, former SNP management candidate Ash Regan and SNP MSP Michelle Thomson each known as for the 52-year-old to resign the get together whip.
SNP MP Angus MacNeil additionally known as for “political distance” amid the “soap opera”, claiming Ms Sturgeon “suspended others from the SNP for an terrible lot much less” throughout her time in cost.
Speaking to journalists at Holyrood on Tuesday, Mr Yousaf mentioned there was no strain for Ms Sturgeon to resign.
He added: “I will speak to our group. I think it’s important that we have a unified voice in these matters. But I’m not going to stop MSPs from expressing their view – that is entirely their prerogative.”
Mr Yousaf talking to journalists at Holyrood on Tuesday
Ms Sturgeon was arrested on Sunday and questioned for round seven hours as a part of Operation Branchform.
The long-running Police Scotland inquiry is linked to the spending of round £600,000 raised by SNP supporters and earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning. It is known there have been complaints the ringfenced money has been used improperly by being spent elsewhere.
Ms Sturgeon’s husband was beforehand arrested and later launched with out cost too
Ms Sturgeon, who has denied any wrongdoing, is the third high-profile SNP member to be arrested in reference to the probe.
Her husband, ex-SNP chief govt Peter Murrell, and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie had been each arrested and later launched with out cost again in April.
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Mr Yousaf denied being “weak” for not taking motion towards Ms Sturgeon, who he described as Europe’s “most impressive” politician.
He mentioned: “I have shown consistency throughout this process.
“People are launched with out cost – there is no cause to droop them, I’ve made that clear. It’s the best way I’ve handled different parliamentarians, for instance, and that is the best way I’ll proceed.
“I know why the opposition want rid of Nicola Sturgeon out of here, because, of course, she’s thrashed them at every single election. So, hardly surprised at that.”
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Humza Yousaf explains determination to not droop Nicola Sturgeon
The first minister mentioned he had not spoken to Ms Sturgeon since her arrest.
He added: “It’s a very, very difficult time for her and a difficult time for our party, and personally painful to many of us too.”
Content Source: information.sky.com