Humza Yousaf’s SNP unity bid stumbles as Kate Forbes declines cabinet offer

Despite setback Scotland's first Muslim leader says victory sends strong message to those who feel they don't belong'

Humza Yousaf has said becoming Scotland's first Muslim leader sends a strong message to every single person out there who feels that they don't belong", after he was voted in by MSPs.

But the first minister's attempts to reunited his party after a bitter leadership campaign fell at the first hurdle after his main rival, Kate Forbes, turned down a position in his cabinet, saying she preferred to support him from the backbenches.