Achi news desk-
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I was asked this question before the last time there was a leadership contest in the Scottish National Party, and I was very clear in my opinion that I believe a leader should have the party the ability to be First Minister of Scotland.
“I have not been convinced of that opinion since I made those comments well over a year ago, but the most important thing for me here is to get on with the work of supporting the First Minister over the next few days by for him to fight back and he. will win the vote of no confidence next week.”
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Pressed on whether he would stand, Mr Flynn added: “Of course, implicit in my answer is the fact that I believe the party leader should have the ability to be First Minister of Scotland. As you and all your listeners know I’m a Westminster Member of Parliament, I don’t have the ability to be First Minister of Scotland, so I’m sure people can read between the lines in that regard.”
Mr Flynn said Mr Yousaf was going to “come out fighting” as he faced a motion of no confidence.
Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today program whether it was a mistake to end the power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens, the SNP leader in Westminster said: “I firmly believe that it was the right thing to do to be done, because the First Minister wanted to reset the focus of the Scottish Government on the priorities of the people of Scotland.
“That of course means providing jobs and opportunities for our young people, growing the economy, protecting our NHS from the worst excesses… Westminster and dealing with the cost of living crisis. He was absolutely right to do that.”
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Mr Flynn added: “What I would gently beg all politicians in Holyrood to do now that we are of course in a minority Government is to have some cool heads and some calm words this weekend to reflect on the consequences of any decision that was to do it. or otherwise in relation to who or who is not the Prime Minister and come to a conclusion that I think would be much more reasonable.
Mr Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South, said Mr Yousaf was “reflective” as he faced a tight confidence vote next week at Holyrood.
He defended the First Minister as “a man of profound integrity”, saying that he expected there to be discussions with the Scottish Green Party.
Aberdeen South MP Mr Flynn told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland that he had spoken to Mr Yousaf on Thursday evening, adding: “Humza Yousaf is a man of deep integrity. I had a chat with Humza last night after our two children were put to bed.
“He was reflective, but it was also very clear to me that he was going to come out fighting because he believed in what he was saying. He believes in delivering for the people for Scotland. He believes in creating jobs and opportunities for the next generation.”
Mr Flynn added: “I would simply say to politicians from across the political spectrum that now is the time for cool heads, calm words, reflection and thinking about the consequences of their actions.”
The SNP leader in Westminster said that the fact that the Prime Minister is now running a minority government means that he will have to talk to other parties at Holyrood. Asked if he would talk to the Greens, Mr Flynn said: “I would anticipate, just as I would anticipate there would be conversations with others as well.”
Mr Flynn said he expected Mr Yousaf to win the confidence vote and continue as party leader and First Minister.
