HUMZA YOUSAF claimed the SNP can deliver a “Tory-free Scotland” today as he launched his party’s general election campaign.

Speaking at the Oran Mor, in Glasgow’s West End, the First Minister sought to reassure party faithful after a year which has seen open dissent over independence strategy, an embarrassing police investigation into party finances and a by-election defeat to Labour.

Mr Yousaf pledged to pursue conference policy and open negotiations “to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country” if the party wins a majority of Scottish seats. He went on to argue that only the SNP can win Tory seats in Scotland.