Humza Yousaf: continuity candidate taking over as Scottish first minister

Part of the SNP government for over a decade, the 37-year-old is now Holyrood’s first minority ethnic leader after a bitter contest

Humza Yousaf, who has become the first minority ethnic leader of the Scottish government, has had the advantage and the curse of being seen as the continuity candidate and Nicola Sturgeon’s unacknowledged favourite.

Of all three candidates, Yousaf, 37, was the only enthusiast for Sturgeon’s approach and earned by far the most endorsements from SNP parliamentarians and ministers, notably including Sturgeon’s deputy and closest political friend, John Swinney, himself a former leader of the party.