READY FOR RECKONING

First Minister is tetchy and downbeat on hustings in Rutherglen, as Sarwar hits out at Nats over crisis in policing

- ANDREW QUINN

HUMZA Yousaf yesterday admitted the SNP faces a “challenge” in the Rutherglen by-election but insisted his party was defending “a really strong record” in government. 

The First Minister was speaking with Nats candidate Katy Loudon in Blantyre ahead of the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election tomorrow.

Yousaf said he was “hopeful” about winning the seat but then downplayed his party’s chances by saying there was a “difficult context”.

Meanwhile, Loudon insisted she had “confidence”.

The by-election is taking place after former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier was ousted for breaking Covid rules.

Labour candidate Michael Shanks is the current bookies’ favourite.

Yousaf said: “I’m not resigned to defeat. I’m hopeful because we have a phenomenally good candidate and I’ve consistently said that we’re hopeful.

“But we’re very aware of the context in which we’re fighting this by-election.