A SCOTTISH Government minister has rubbished suggestions that Nicola Sturgeon’s position as SNP leader is under threat.

The BBC have hinted that the First Minister’s position is potentially under threat amid calls from within the party for an indyref2 Plan B.

Citing the upcoming trial of Alex Salmond, they forecast tricky times ahead for the SNP leader.

MP Angus MacNeil, who backed moves to have Plan B debated at the party conference last year, was asked about the prospect of Sturgeon moving on.

He said: “I suppose that's maybe a matter for events and Nicola Sturgeon – who knows? What I'm concentrating on is not so much the personalities involved but it's the issue of independence."

Fellow MP Kenny MacAskill added: “Never say never in politics – but at the present moment there is no challenge in the SNP, nobody seeks it, we're comfortable with Nicola's leadership.

“We'll see what happens but she still has a lot of fuel in the tank.”

However, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf took to Twitter to make clear Sturgeon’s position is secure.

He called the suggestions “baloney”, explaining: “Independence at 50% – in some polls even higher – we have just won another election & support for the SNP miles ahead of opposition.

“The couple of MPs stirring the pot & trying to disrupt are doing themselves & the Independence cause no good whatsoever.”