Shona Robison appointed deputy first minister by Humza Yousaf

Shona Robison will become Scotland’s deputy first minister, Humza Yousaf has announced.

The newly-elected FM made the announcement to journalists after MSPs voted for him to become the sixth incumbent in the top job at Holyrood.

Robison previously served in Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet as justice secretary and was a key member of Yousaf’s campaign team during the SNP leadership contest.

Speaking in the garden lobby of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Yousaf said: “I’m very pleased to tell you that Shona Robison is going to be my deputy first minister.

“She and I are just about to go up and finalise some of our Cabinet appointments and our government appointments.”

The MSP for Dundee City East will take over from John Swinney, who has served as Sturgeon’s deputy since 2014.

Asked if there is room for Kate Forbes in his government, Yousaf said: “I have said right throughout this campaign that Kate is exceptionally talented.

“Of course I’d want her to be part of my government.”

Yousaf became SNP leader on Monday after narrowly beating Forbes with 52% of the vote.

During the campaign, she said when Yousaf was transport minister “the trains were never on time” and as health secretary, presided over record-high waiting times.

Yousaf said he and Robison are now working to finalise their cabinet, with appointments expected in the coming days before a vote of MSPs on Thursday.

On the same day, Yousaf will also face MSPs at First Minister’s Questions.

Yousaf also confirmed he would have a “minister for independence” in his Government, a role he pledged to create during the leadership campaign.