Salmond sets out terms for Alba support of Yousaf

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Alba party leader Alex Salmond has detailed the conditions the SNP must meet should his party support First Minister Humza Yousaf in a confidence vote.

Mr Salmond told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that Alba's sole MSP, Ash Regan, is in a "highly influential position".

Ms Regan, who is the MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, will meet Humza Yousaf this week for talks which could get him out of a "tight corner", former first minister Salmond said.

He added that in order for Ms Regan to lend her support, the SNP must "re-emphasise independence as the priority of the Scottish government", move away from the "identity agenda", and focus on "people's priorities" such as education, jobs and industry.

Mr Yousaf faces a confidence vote in his leadership after the SNP's power sharing deal with the Scottish Green party collapsed. The SNP leader appears to have ruled out an electoral pact with Alba - a proposal Mr Salmond said his party is "not particularly bothered by".