HUMZA Yousaf has encouraged voters to attend a Scottish independence rally over the weekend and said his priority is to continue making the case for an independent Scotland. 

Less than 24 hours after former SNP chief executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell, was charged with embezzlement as part of an ongoing police investigation into the party’s finances, Yousaf said he would not be deterred from making the case for independence.

He also encouraged people to attend the Believe in Scotland rally set to be held in Glasgow on Saturday.

He said: “The developments of the last 24 hours, which centre on alleged embezzlement from the SNP, are extremely serious and I know that, like me, you will be feeling a sense of shock.

“As an ongoing investigation, we must let the police and Crown Office get on with their job.

“And it’s absolutely vital, absolutely the case, that we must get on with our job, on behalf of the people of Scotland.

“As First Minister and SNP leader, my job is to help support people during a Westminster cost of living crisis by, for example, implementing a national council tax freeze.

“My job is to support businesses in creating opportunities. My job is to help drive down NHS waiting lists.

“And our collective job as a party is to speak to people on every doorstep, in every town, city and village to make the case for Scotland becoming an independent nation.”

He continued: “You know, over our 90-year history, the SNP has faced many challenges.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon speaks out after Peter Murrell charged by police

“We’ve met them and overcome them because we believe, with every single fibre of our being, that decisions about Scotland should always be made by the people of Scotland.

“We could allow the difficulties to deter us, but we are not going to.

Instead, we will roll up our sleeves and each and every one of us will work harder than ever, be more determined than ever, to get on with not just making the case for independence but winning it.

“We owe it to the giants of our movement, those sadly never got to see independence in their lifetime.

“We also owe it to our future generations. So join me at the march and rally for independence in Glasgow tomorrow, this Saturday, meeting at 11:30 at Kelvin Way.

“See you there”.

Find out everything you need to know about the march here – where you’ll also find a full list of speakers, including Humza Yousaf, National columnist Pat Kane, and the novelist James Robertson.