6 issues that have rocked SNP leader Humza Yousaf in just two weeks as first minister

New First Minister Humza Yousaf has already endured some huge setbacks just two weeks into his reign.

From a high-profile arrest to signs disenchanted voters are deserting the party, he has faced a tough start to life as SNP leader.

Nicola Sturgeon resigned as FM on Wednesday February 15, with Mr Yousaf sworn in on Wednesday March 29.

Here are six moments that have rocked the former health, justice and transport secretary, and the SNP, since he took charge.

1 – Peter Murrell arrested

The arrest of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell thrust lingering questions over the SNP’s finances into the national spotlight last week.

Former party chief Mr Murrell was taken into custody by police for 11 hours on April 5 before later being released without charge.

A tent was erected outside his home while officers searched for clues inside. Police were also sent to the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh.

Ex-First Minister Ms Sturgeon denied she had any prior knowledge of her husband’s arrest and it’s understood she was still at home when officers arrived.

It later emerged police had also reportedly seized a luxury campervan worth more than £100,000 from Mr Murrell’s mother’s Fife home.

Police are continuing to investigate the spending of £600,000 donated to the SNP which had been set aside for independence campaigning.

Prior to Mr Yousaf’s victory in the leadership campaign, Mr Murrell had resigned from his role as party chief in the midst of a row over membership numbers.

2 – The big Sturgeon dilemma

For years Ms Sturgeon remained the central figure within the SNP and she was seen as pivotal to their enduring electoral success.

She had been leader since the referendum in 2014, and served as Alex Salmond’s deputy for a decade before taking on the top job.

But already senior party insiders are seeking to distance her from the campaign to secure independence following her husband’s arrest.

One serving MP claimed the former minister acted “like a deity” when she was in charge.

When Mr Yousaf ran for the top job he pitched himself as the continuity candidate who would carry forward Ms Sturgeon’s legacy.

However, he admitted last week there were clear problems with how the SNP was being governed while she was leader.

3 – ‘No auditors’ revelation

Further questions over the SNP’s money management are being asked after it emerged the party’s auditors quit around six months ago.

Mr Yousaf confirmed accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael resigned in October, but the party did not disclose this at the time.

Speaking at an event in Leith, he told STV: “They resigned last year.

“I think it was in and about October last year.

“But the fact that we don’t have auditors in place is one of the major priorities.

“You can imagine when I found that out, being the party leader, the party is quickly looking to secure another auditor.”

He added: “It’s certainly problematic, I won’t deny that at all.”

4 – Disastrous polling

Turmoil which has engulfed the SNP ever since Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation has had a clear impact on fed-up voters.

The party swept Labour off the map at Westminster in Scotland eight years ago, but polls have indicated the tide is shifting back.

A Savanta poll at the end of March put Labour just 6% behind the SNP, a result which would see them win numerous seats.

SNP leads Labour by 5 points in Scotland. In 2019, Labour came third.

Scotland Westminster VI (31 March – 1 April):

SNP 36% (-3)
Labour 31% (+2)
Conservative 19% (-3)
Lib Dem 10% (+4)
Green 2% (–)
Reform 2% (–)
Other 1% (–)

Changes +/- 2-5 Marchhttps://t.co/0jIqoLLdLG pic.twitter.com/YzhZYZSdOP

— Redfield & Wilton Strategies (@RedfieldWilton) April 4, 2023

Another poll from Redfield & Winton, which came out last week, put the gap between the two parties at just 3% in a Westminster vote.

If that unfolded in an election, Anas Sarwar’s party could end up with more Scottish MPs than the SNP, which would have been unthinkable months ago.

In a separate question, Redfield & Winton found the SNP would only get 38% of constituency votes in a Holyrood vote, and just 30% in the regional list.

5 – Mike Russell remarks

Veteran former SNP minister Mike Russell stepped in as the SNP’s interim chief after Mr Murrell quit.

But already his remarks since taking office have shone a light on Mr Yousaf’s mammoth task in managing the party while trying to deliver independence.

Ms Sturgeon found herself at a dead end in attempts to secure a second referendum and little will be different for her successor.

In a bombshell claim, Mr Russell admitted the party was enduring its biggest crisis for 50 years.

He also admitted achieving independence anytime soon is unlikely.

He told The Herald: “I don’t think independence can be secured right now; we need to work towards some coordinated campaigning.

“But I think this is achievable. My main focus is how we can create a new Yes movement that allows for different visions but conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust.”

On working with Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, he proposed having “a positive dialogue based on mutual respect”.

Of the new FM, Mr Russell added: “I’ll do as much as I can, but it’s true that the last few weeks have been pretty wearing.

“All I can do is put my trust in working with others to get it right.

“Like it or not, the party has chosen Humza to do this and I want to help him in that as much as I can.

“Parties and institutions are fallible. In a sense though, it’s a case of ‘The King is Dead, Long Live the King’. That’s the way it’s got to be.”

6 – Calls for a re-run

That Mr Murrell’s arrest came after the SNP leadership election ended may be as much of a relief as it is a headache for Mr Yousaf.

The first minister was backed by the weight of many senior party figures and only narrowly defeated Kate Forbes when push came to shove.

Veteran Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said Mr Murrell being taken into custody could have had a “material impact” on the end result.

He even astonishingly questioned whether the arrest had been delayed so Ms Sturgeon could quit and be replaced.

Mr MacNeil told The Sunday Mail: “Humza could be a great leader, he could be grand, but it’s not about who won.

“It’s about the legitimacy of the process and getting the SNP back to being a democratic party that genuinely listens to and includes its members, its branches, its associations, in the running of things.

“I think there is a very strong ­argument for rerunning the election. It definitely needs to be discussed.”