First Minister Humza Yousaf says governance of SNP ‘was not correctly’

Humza Yousaf has admitted the governance of the SNP “was not as it should be”.

Scotland’s new first minister additionally mentioned with the removing of energy couple Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell from the highest of the get together, it will enable a possibility to “have a different way of doing things”.

Mr Yousaf mentioned it had been a “difficult 24 hours” following former SNP chief govt Mr Murrell’s arrest amid a police probe into get together funding and funds.

Ms Sturgeon’s husband and the previous SNP chief govt was taken into custody to be questioned by detectives on Wednesday earlier than later being launched with out cost.

Speaking to media at Bute House in Edinburgh on Thursday, Mr Yousaf mentioned: “Whatever else transpires on this case, it is rather, very clear that the governance of the get together was not correctly.

“It was not at its finest normal. And frankly, the debacle over membership numbers is only one instance of that.”

Mr Yousaf mentioned he has not but spoken to his predecessor.

He advised Sky News: “I’m sure we’ll see each other when parliament reconvenes after the Easter recess, but we’ll certainly not be discussing a live police investigation.

“That can be inappropriate to do for all method of means.”

Ms Sturgeon introduced her shock resignation in February after greater than eight years as first minister.

Mr Yousaf was formally sworn in as Scotland’s new chief final week.

Mr Murrell, who married Ms Sturgeon in 2010, resigned as SNP chief govt final month after greater than 20 years within the function.

He was compelled to step down after shouldering the blame for the get together’s deceptive responses to the media over membership numbers.

Speaking about Ms Sturgeon, Mr Yousaf mentioned: “I think in her own view and her own words, she was a dominant political force.

“There’s now a possibility along with her not the chief of the get together, with Peter not the chief govt, to have a special method of doing issues.”

The long-running police probe is linked to the spending of round £600,000 raised by supporters to be earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.

Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon’s house in Glasgow was taped off and a police tent erected outdoors.

Officers had been additionally seen eradicating containers from SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.

Mr Yousaf mentioned: “There’s no getting away from the fact that it’s a difficult 24 hours. And it comes after quite a challenging election contest, as election contests tend to be.

“But we have a brand new chief, there might be a brand new chief govt of the get together.

“Our party is not built on one person, or indeed even one or two people. We are a strong party. We’ve got a strong message, a good track record of delivery as a government.

“And that is why I need to get again to speaking concerning the priorities of the Scottish folks, however there is not any doubt, in fact the final 24 hours have been difficult.”

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In the sooner press convention, the primary minister mentioned he had not been in touch with the police himself however the SNP had been cooperating with the investigation.

He mentioned one of many first conversations he was “keen to have” as the brand new chief was to “understand the party’s finances” and get “up to speed” on the police probe.

Mr Yousaf mentioned: “I wanted to in my very first NEC meeting make sure that the NEC agreed to a full review in terms of governance and transparency with external input.

“I feel that final half is vital as a result of there are members and the general public and our press rightly have questions that they need answered round these points.

“And frankly, a review of governance, a review of how we do things as transparently as possible is clearly needed.”

Mr Yousaf mentioned he would “have to check” if Mr Murrell was nonetheless an SNP member however added that Ms Sturgeon wouldn’t be getting the whip eliminated.

He mentioned: “Remember, our justice system works on the premise, quite rightly, that people are innocent until proven guilty.”

Speaking to Sky News’ Beth Rigby final month, Ms Sturgeon wouldn’t touch upon the police investigation however mentioned it performed no half in her determination to step down.