Salmond sets out terms for Alba support of Yousaf

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".