Outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf has told Sky News the SNP and independence movement would be harmed by a toxic leadership contest.

Mr Yousaf, who this week announced he was standing down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister, refused to be drawn on his party's future direction, and said any suggestion of him being forced out of office to make way for John Swinney was "complete and utter rubbish". The departing leader refuted that Scottish independence was further away than ever before but admitted there's no "shortcut" to Indyref2.

And having "reflected" on his role in last year's bruising leadership campaign, Mr Yousaf is urging potential candidates to support each other rather than talk each other down. In an interview with Sky's Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, Mr Yousaf said he expects a "rollercoaster of emotion" over the coming weeks and months.

He said: "I will certainly be regretting the way it ended." Mr Yousaf was forced to resign following the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement. Within hours of the power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens coming to an end, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross announced he would be bringing a motion of no confidence in the first minister.

Angry over the way the party was dumped from government, the Scottish Greens announced its MSPs would be backing the motion. Scottish Labour then announced it was also planning a motion of no confidence in the Scottish government.

All eyes were on Alba Party MSP Ash Regan, whose vote could potentially have played a key role in Mr Yousaf's future. Mr Yousaf reached out to his political opponents in an effort to stem the uprising but conceded that he had "underestimated the level of hurt and upset" his actions had caused Scottish Green colleagues.

The first minister denied that he had been planning to make a deal with the Alba Party's Ms Regan in order to remain in his post. He said he called Ms Regan back on Monday morning to acknowledge "a number of asks.