SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a referendum on Scottish independence “when the time is right”, as she retained her Glasgow seat.
Giving an acceptance speech in Glasgow after she defeated Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar by 19,735 votes to 10,279, the First Minister said her party is set for a fourth term in power.
Earlier, she had played down the likelihood of an overall SNP majority at Holyrood, saying it has “always been a very, very long shot”.
After being re-elected to her seat, Ms Sturgeon said: “If that is indeed the outcome of this election, I pledge today to get back to work immediately to continue to steer the country through the crisis of Covid, to continue to lead this country into recovery from Covid.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a referendum on Scottish independence “when the time is right”, as she retained her Glasgow seat.
Giving an acceptance speech in Glasgow after she defeated Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar by 19,735 votes to 10,279, the First Minister said her party is set for a fourth term in power.
Earlier, she had played down the likelihood of an overall SNP majority at Holyrood, saying it has “always been a very, very long shot”.
After being re-elected to her seat, Ms Sturgeon said: “If that is indeed the outcome of this election, I pledge today to get back to work immediately to continue to steer the country through the crisis of Covid, to continue to lead this country into recovery from Covid.
Members of an anti-vaccine party made a “beeline” for Scotland’s Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf at the Glasgow election count – before members of other political parties joined the SNP to confront them.
Derek Jackson, a candidate for Glasgow Southside, arrived at the count with supporters wearing black suits, yellow stars and armbands.
They claimed their yellow stars were “sheriff’s badges” – though they had “unvax” written on them.
Mr Jackson, who is also known as Deek Jackson, is standing for the Liberal Party – a small group unconnected to the Liberal Democrats.
Police speak with members of the Liberal Party before they are removed from the Glasgow count (Jane Barlow/PA)
BBC News
Published
image captionDerek Jackson was among the men seen wearing yellow stars and making salute gestures
A Liberal Party member who confronted the SNP MSP Humza Yousaf at a Glasgow election count has been suspended.
Derek Jackson and others, who are not affiliated with the Liberal Democrats, questioned Mr Yousaf about how women and children in Pakistan are treated.
Police arrived at the scene and asked them to leave. Mr Yousaf has accused them of targeting ethnic minorities.
A spokesman for the Liberal Party said they were not aware Mr Jackson was going to confront Mr Yousaf.
He added: NAC member Stephen Graham who vetted him was not aware of this.
Updated: May 8, 2021, 11:47 am
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Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to hold another Scottish independence referendum “when the time is right” if the SNP are returned to government.
Giving an acceptance speech at the Emirates Arena on Friday after defeating Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in Glasgow Southside by 19,735 votes to 10,279, the first minister said her party appears to be on course for another term in government.
First Minister and SNP party leader Nicola Sturgeon celebrates after retaining her seat for Glasgow Southside.