Nicola Sturgeon-Loyalist who supports her transgender views lined up as a continuity candidate

Humza Yousaf-PA

Nicola Sturgeon’s loyalists have launched an attempt to retain control of the SNP by backing a bid by the beleaguered Scottish Health Secretary to become the next First Minister.

Humza Yousaf, who has repeatedly been called to step down for presiding over chaos in the NHS, has emerged as a “continuity candidate” in the race to succeed Ms Sturgeon, a choice that has confused some party insiders.

The 37-year-old, who has pledged to continue campaigning for Ms Sturgeon’s controversial gender reforms and would allow the far-left Scottish Greens to remain in government, received key support from fellow SNP politicians on Sunday.

Party insiders, however, have claimed Mr Yousaf is being appointed by the party establishment as a “deputy” to protect Ms Sturgeon’s legacy and ensure that an “old guard” who has run the SNP for decades remains in control should he lead should win.

Ash Regan, a former minister who left Ms Sturgeon’s government to vote against her gender self-identification bill, also formally declared on Sunday, outlining a tough pro-independence strategy with any election becoming a “de facto referendum.” ‘ about leaving the UK.

Ash Regan-Getty Images

Kate Forbes, the finance minister, was still considering an offer, but was able to announce it on Monday.

Several SNP insiders have expressed surprise at Mr Yousaf’s rise as the anointed choice of the party hierarchy, with one backing a brutal criticism of him from Labor Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie.

On Friday, Ms Baillie called Mr Yousaf “delusional” and claimed that “the worst health minister ever” wanted to become “the worst first minister ever”.

An SNP source said: “He’s not doing very well in his current job so it’s very hard to see how he could be ready for the top job. The old guard are trying to stay in control by using Humza as their proxy.”

Angus Robertson, the constitutional secretary, is also yet to explain himself, but an offer of leadership is seen as increasingly unlikely.

It was said that a “clique” loyal to Ms Sturgeon had rallied around Mr Yousaf after Mr Robertson “got cold feet”.

As a far clearer picture emerged on Sunday of who might become Scotland’s next first minister, potential contenders such as SNP deputy leader Keith Brown and rising ministers Neil Gray and Màiri McAllan said they would not run.

Another party source said: “There is no doubt that Humza is now the continuity candidate and has the full force of the establishment behind him. He speaks a good game but has zero when it comes to performance in government.

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, has reportedly announced his preference for Mr Yousaf, although sources close to him insist he has not yet preferred any candidate.

John Swinney-Getty

Mr Gray, who some had predicted would run, said he would not stand and supported Mr Yousaf. Mairi Hunter, a former SNP council member and Ms Sturgeon’s election agent, also backed the health secretary’s campaign.

Anne McLaughlin, an SNP MP who is friends with Ms Sturgeon, tweeted that she supports Mr Yousaf.

While Ms Sturgeon has said she will not endorse anyone, SNP figures saw the pledges as a signal to members that Mr Yousaf is the preferred First Minister candidate.

Independence, gender reform and the Scottish Greens have emerged as dividing lines in competition.

Mr Yousaf said he would proceed with a court challenge to overturn a UK government veto on the self-identification bill, while Ms Regan said it would be abandoned under her supervision.

The Health Secretary would continue a coalition with the Scottish Greens, which would be unlikely under Ms Regan or Ms Forbes.

Meanwhile, Ms Regan proposed a radical pro-independence plan in which a “50 per cent plus one” vote for pro-independence parties in any election would be seen as a mandate to start negotiations on leaving the UK.

Mr Yousaf prefers a more patient approach aimed at building support for independence rather than focusing on the process.

SNP sources admit little is known about party members’ views as most are inactive. “It’s unpredictable because nobody really knows where the members are,” a source said. “Ash can reach out to members who have already canceled [Alex Salmond’s] Alba.”

Jeane Freeman, the SNP’s former health secretary, launched an open attack on her party on Sunday, when members began launching vicious public attacks on one another.

Kate Forbes-Ken Jack/Getty

Ms Forbes’ Christian faith became a target for some party members, who claimed her views on abortion and gay marriage meant she was unfit to lead the party.

Ms Freeman urged participants in the “yellow-on-yellow” attacks to “grow up” and warned that disagreement would cost the SNP support.

She added: “You’re not going to convince anyone, you’re not going to convince anyone, you’re not going to get anywhere if you take lumps from each other.

In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Mr Yousaf spoke about his experiences as a former transport minister and justice minister before being promoted to health minister, but denied he was the continuity candidate.

“For all the exceptional qualities that Nicola Sturgeon has, I’m also different from her in a lot of ways, and I hope that comes out during the campaign,” he said.

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