NICOLA Sturgeon will not return to Holyrood this week and will instead work remotely.
The former first minister’s spokesperson said she wanted the focus to be on Humza Yousaf as he sets out the priorities of his government.
The spokesperson said: “In order to ensure the focus of this week is on the new First Minister setting out his priorities for the people of Scotland, Sturgeon has always intended to participate remotely and intends to return to Holyrood in the near future.”
It comes amid calls from opposition politicians for Sturgeon to be suspended after a leaked video showed her warning senior members of the SNP of raising concerns about the party’s finances.
In the footage, Sturgeon can be seen telling the party’s ruling body to be “very careful” raising any issues.
Despite opposition calls for the former first minister to be suspended, Ian Blackford said there is “no reason” for this to happen.
“Goodness gracious, absolutely not. There is no reason for that at all, that’s I think some of our opponents politicking”, he told Good Morning Scotland.
He added: “Let’s just reflect on what the [former] first minister has done for us. She’s been a frontline politician and led us as first minister and I for one am proud of what she’s achieved.”
Blackford also said that there was a “media frenzy” around the party’s financial issues.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “Try as she might to avoid the spotlight, it’s clear that the former first minister is at the heart of the chaos engulfing the SNP.
“The failures and secrecy of the Sturgeon era are overshadowing Humza Yousaf. Nicola Sturgeon has a responsibility to represent her constituents in parliament regardless of the scrutiny she is under.”
Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton accused Sturgeon of acting like a “part-time MSP” while Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy called for her suspension.
