SNP turmoil: Scottish independence within five years still 'realistic', says Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf has claimed Scotland becoming independent within five years still remained a “realistic” goal.

The First Minister made the claim after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was arrested by police.

A poll released by Redfield-Wilton on Tuesday before the arrest had shown a 6 per cent lead for No if Scotland was to hold another independence referendum.

Mr Yousaf said it was still “realistic” to suggest Scotland could be independent within five years, but added: “I’m not saying we absolutely will, given that none of us can say with absolute certainty what the timeline looks like, and we’ve seen events can change.

A Scottish independence march in Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

“We’re starting at the basis where support for independence is around about 50-50, we’re starting at a strong base.”