Humza Yousaf leaves SNP faithful confused about independence strategy

Scottish Nationalists delighted by talk of referendum but delegates at Dundee had different interpretations of what their leader meant

When Humza Yousaf stood to address the first substantial gathering of the SNP since he replaced Nicola Sturgeon as leader, he acknowledged the turmoil that is engulfing the party head on.

After the SNP was rocked by the arrests of senior figures, including Sturgeon herself, as part of Police Scotland's investigation into party finances, he told activists meeting in Dundee for a one-day convention to discuss independence strategy: You may have picked up there have been a few challenges." The hall responded with nervous laughter.