Nicola is an asset to our movement & our party

Yousaf stands by his arrested predecessor: 'She's most impressive politician in Europe'

- CHRIS MCCALL

HUMZA Yousaf has hailed Nicola Sturgeon as "the most impressive politician in Europe" despite her arrest last weekend.

The First Minister defended his decision not to suspend his predecessor from the SNP after she was questioned by detectives for several hours in connection with Operation Branchform.

Sturgeon was released without charge on Sunday, pending further investigation.

Some in the SNP - including two MSPs - have questioned why she did not lose the party whip until the police investigation is concluded.

Yousaf spoke to journalists at the Scottish Parliament yesterday and insisted he had made the correct decision.

And he claimed the former first minister remained an asset to the party. He said: "I have shown consistency throughout this process.

"If people are released without charge there's no reason to suspend them. I've made that clear.