Related Articles
Humza Yousaf has been elected the brand new chief of the SNP.
He narrowly defeated Kate Forbes in a poll of the celebration’s individuals and can now prevail Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland’s first minister.
Yousaf additionally turns into the primary Muslim to be elected chief of one of the crucial devolved international locations.
His victory follows a fractious five-week management contest prompted by way of Sturgeon’s surprise resignation closing month.
He was once broadly noticed because the continuity candidate, having gained the make stronger of a number of SNP big-hitters, together with outgoing deputy first minister John Swinney and Stephen Flynn, the celebration’s chief at Westminster.
The opposite candidate within the race, Ash Regan, was once eradicated within the first spherical of balloting after receiving simply 11% of first desire votes.
Yousaf then gained the run-off with Forbes by way of 52% to 48%.
He mentioned he was once “honoured” to be entrusted by way of the SNP club after successful the management election.
He mentioned: “It’s arduous for me to search out the phrases to explain simply how honoured I’m to be entrusted by way of our club of the SNP to be the celebration’s subsequent chief and to be at the cusp of being our nation’s subsequent first minister.
Yousaf additionally paid tribute to colleagues Forbes and Regan, including: “It’s felt we’ve noticed each and every different greater than our respective households.
“You each have installed an implausible shift and I do know that jointly we will be able to paintings arduous as a part of Group SNP.”
Reacting to the end result, Stephen Flynn mentioned: “I warmly congratulate Humza Yousaf on his election as SNP chief, and look ahead to operating intently with him, as we ship at the priorities of other people in Scotland.”
