Humza Yousaf (front, second from left) with his new office Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
Humza Yousaf was indicted in sparking a civil war within the SNP over her former leadership rival's neglect during a cabinet reshuffle.
The Telegraph understands that Kate Forbes, who narrowly defeated Mr Yousaf in the SNP leadership, was not elected, turned to a possible return to government after the resignation of Michael Matheson, the disgraced health minister.
The move sparked anger among the former finance minister's allies, who argued the First Minister had opted for option B instead. -team» to run the country.
Mr. Yousaf has publicly praised Ms. Forbes' abilities, and on Thursday she signaled she was open to discussing a return to government.
However, during work, she did not receive any contact with either Mr. Yousaf or his assistants.
Instead, Mr Yousaf appointed his close ally Neil Gray as health secretary and returned party veteran Fiona Hyslop to the cabinet.
The reshuffle was prompted by the resignation of Mr Matheson, who The Telegraph revealed last year received a £10,935.74 data roaming bill while on holiday in Morocco.
He demanded money from government coffers to pay the bill, claiming he used his iPad to conduct parliamentary business, but later admitted that he subsequently learned that his sons were using it to broadcast football matches.
The saga, which has continued since November as Mr Yusuf repeatedly tried to keep Mr Matheson in his post, has raised questions about the First Minister's political views.
SNP sources said the situation was even worse worsened by his failure to make any effort to recruit Ms Forbes, which they said could help reunite his troubled party.
Ms Forbes has indicated she is open to discussing a return to government. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA
«It's madness not to pick the best team,» said one SNP member. “By all accounts, Kate is a great talent. Such contempt for her gives the impression that Humza is harboring a grudge.
“It would be an olive branch that could rally and unite the party. Instead, he chose the Team B clique, leaving a Class A player on the bench.
“This looks harsh and could cause ongoing schisms and disagreements not only among the parliamentary group, but also among the membership.
p>“The irony is that if there were another leadership contest between them tomorrow, Kate would win with a significant majority.”
“Violent attacks on Mr Yousaf’s competence”
After the past In the year he became first minister, Mr. Yousaf offered Ms. Forbes the post of Minister of Agriculture. She declined the offer because her previous financial report considered the position to be a major demotion.
She launched a scathing attack on Mr Yousaf's competence during the leadership election, famously attacking him during a televised debate over his record in the Government.
Ms Forbes was also critical of the Scottish National Party's coalition agreement with the far-left Scottish Greens.
Mr Yousaf insists the deal is «worth its weight in gold» despite the smaller party being seen as behind a number of measures unpopular with voters and businesses.
Geoff Aberdein, Alex Salmond's former chief of staff, called on Mr Yousaf to «move heaven and earth» to get Ms Forbes back into government and said she should be offered «any job she wants».
But his failure to even come close was seen by some SNP insiders as another mistake. She received 48 percent of the vote in the leadership race, despite the party hierarchy being seen as strongly backing Mr Yousaf.
“Kate continues to be an outstanding SNP MP,” said another SNP member. «There is no possible, reasonable or justifiable reason to keep her out of government.»
Meanwhile, Mr Yousaf is also facing calls from within the Scottish National Party to distance himself from Nicola Sturgeon.
Joanna Cherry, an SNP MP, called on him to «put some clear water» between him and the «previous leadership», highlighting the ongoing police investigation into the SNP's finances and Ms Sturgeon's deletion of Covid WhatsApp messages.
Former First Minister denies wrongdoing in connection with the police investigation and said she followed Scottish Government policy in deleting the posts.
In her article in the pro-independence newspaper The National, Ms Cherry outlined serious problems with her leadership style Ms Sturgeon's concerns, such as the accumulation of power among a «small clique», were highlighted by the Covid inquiry.
“Our candidates and activists risk being shackled at the door unless the party's new leadership line between the problems created under Nicola's leadership and our party's program and vision for the future,» Ms Cherry said.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: «As the First Minister said, the new appointments reflect priorities governments and the causes that drive them — equality, opportunity and community — and he looks forward to working with them as the Government continues to work for the people of Scotland.»
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