Yousaf faces rebellion from Forbes backers

Will Humza Yousaf ever catch a break? The short answer is: not anytime soon. Last week was dubbed the First Minister’s worst in the job – which is saying something, given the chaos that has engulfed his party over the past year. And if Yousaf had hoped for improved fortunes this week, his wishes were in vain. The pesky Greens are still causing the Nats a headache over the Bute House Agreement and Patrick Harvie’s barmy army could well vote themselves out of their coalition next month. Tuesday’s statement on the Cass review has raised yet more questions about the Scottish government’s tartan Tavistock problem – and now hapless Humza has seen a mini rebellion over juryless trials. Oh dear.

The beleaguered FM failed to quash dissent within his ranks on Tuesday night, after six of his own MSPs refused to vote with the government on his justice reforms. The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill includes plans to scrap Scotland’s unique ‘not proven’ verdict and to pilot juryless rape trials, much to the concern of politicians and legal experts alike.