Laura Kuenssberg grills Humza Yousaf on Scottish Independence
The Scottish Tories warned Humza Yousaf believes Sir Keir Starmer is "weak" on Scottish independence after he asked the Labour leader for talks.
The Scottish First Minister invited Sir Keir to Bute House to discuss working together following the general election.
In a letter to the Labour leader, the SNP leader said differing political views should not "prevent us being able to work together".
He wrote: "I hope you will accept this invitation to meet and that we can establish a working relationship in the interests of the people we represent."
But Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy told Express.co.uk: “This latest overture from the SNP confirms what most Scottish voters already know: Humza Yousaf's only focus is another independence referendum and he believes Keir Starmer is weak on the issue.
“In swathes of seats across Scotland, only a vote for the Scottish Conservatives will defeat the SNP and end their plans for another independence referendum.”
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Mr Yousaf previously said the SNP's conditions of working with Labour would be Sir Keir paving the way for a future Scottish independence referendum.
In his letter published yesterday, the Scottish First Minister made clear independence is still a priority.
He said: "My Government is clear that Scotland's future is as an independent country in the EU, and that there is a democratic mandate for a referendum on independence which should be respected."
Mr Yousaf later told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "I'd like to speak to Keir Starmer as the man who will undoubtedly be the next prime minister."
He added: "SNP MPs will work with you. When it comes to Keir Starmer being the next prime minister of the United Kingdom, which I think he absolutely will be, I should say I'm very willing to work with an incoming Labour government.
"I think there's plenty that we can work on. There will be disagreements - the constitution perhaps being the obvious one."
It was put to Mr Yousaf on the programme that independence is unlikely to be offered by Sir Keir.
Asked whether he accepts independence is unlikely to happen anytime soon, he said: "I don't accept that."
A Labour spokesperson said Scots are "crying out for change not just from the Tories but from the SNP".
They said: "From a culture of secrecy and cover-up to life-threatening failures in our NHS, Humza Yousaf's party is failing working people.
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"Humza Yousaf should spend less time commenting on elections and more on fixing the mess the SNP have made.
"Not a single vote has been cast - Labour has no complacency over the coming election.
"Only a Labour government can deliver the change that Scotland and all of the UK needs."
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