Humza Yousaf admitted it has been “bloody frustrating” that his first weeks in office have been derailed by the SNP police probe.
The First Minister also said he had still not spoken to predecessor Nicola Sturgeon – even though she has returned to parliament.
Yousaf’s early days as leader have been overshadowed by a police investigation into how SNP donations were spent when Sturgeon was in charge.
Her husband, former SNP CEO Peter Murrell, and ex-treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested and released without charge.
Yousaf told the Record: “I’m certainly not going to deny it has been bloody frustrating having to deal with these issues, but it certainly won’t distract me from the job as First Minister.”
On whether he believes there has been any criminality in the SNP, he said: “I must avoid, of course, commenting on a live police investigation. Genuinely, for very good reasons, the First Minister shouldn’t look to be seen to prejudice any police investigation.
“I certainly can tell you, as things are now where I am the leader, we’re not operating in a criminal way.”
On not yet catching up with Sturgeon, he said: “She was back last week for her first full week. We will get the chance, and will speak I hope in relatively short order.”
He disputed the suggestion that the SNP is not in a fit state to fight a referendum, adding: “No, I don’t agree with it. It’s in a very challenging position given the police investigation but, no, the party has the biggest membership of any other political party in the entire country.”
Yousaf also attacked former US president Donald Trump, who has been in Scotland visiting his golf courses.
He said: “Some of the pronouncements he’s made against Muslims, some of them against people like [London mayor] Sadiq Khan, I find deplorable. I found them to be dog whistles against Muslims.
“I find much of the language to even be Islamophobic. If I ever did get the opportunity to meet with him, I would certainly be taking him to task for the language that he has used in the past.”
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