Humza Yousaf is the new SNP leader and he will face challenges as the party is ‘chaotic and divided’

Humza Yousaf has become the new SNP leader and the outgoing First Minister of Scotland has said he will be an “outstanding” successor to the party.

This is a “significant moment” as Yousaf has become the first SNP leader from an ethnic minority background, opposition politicians have said.

Scotland’s new First Minister will face challenges leading the party as it is “chaotic and divided” and the Scottish Conservative party have spoke about the “serious concerns” they have over “his ability.”

Nicola Sturgeon tweeted,

“I pay tribute to all 3 candidates for @theSNP leadership for rising to the challenge.

“Most of all I congratulate @HumzaYousaf and wish him every success. He will be an outstanding leader & First Minister and I could not be prouder to have him succeed me.”

The current Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes who was defeated in the leadership contest said, “I’ve been proud to share a platform with both him and Ash over the last five weeks, and I know we will continue to work together, to make the lives of all of Scotland’s people better on the next stage of our journey to independence.

“Whatever the robust disagreements or frank exchanges of the last few weeks, I am confident we will unite behind Humza as our new party leader in the shared and common objective of independence.”

Alex Salmond, said: “Humza has been elected on a minority of the vote to leadership of one part of the national movement. He has a big job on to reunite his party and the cause.”

The Alba leader congratulated Mr Yousaf, adding: “I thought both Ash Regan and Kate Forbes fought brave campaigns against the full force of the SNP establishment, and given that together they received over half the votes, the new leader would do well to listen to what they had to say in the campaign.”

A Scottish Greens spokesperson said: “The Scottish Greens congratulate Humza Yousaf on his leadership victory, and hope he will build on the legacy of his predecessors in delivering a progressive, climate driven and fair legislative agenda for all of Scotland.

“As partners in the Bute House Agreement, we are encouraged his election will be viewed as an endorsement of these shared values, as Scotland looks to embrace a fairer, greener and more equal future.

“In line with our constitution, and following a capacity spring conference at the weekend in which we discussed the partnership arrangement, we will consult with our party members through council which will meet later today to agree our next steps.

“We will share those conclusions in due course.”