That brings FMQs to an end. Here are the headlines from today’s session in the chamber.
Douglas Ross questioned the first minister on the Horizon Post Office scandal and said it was a "horrendous miscarriage of justice".
Yousaf said his justice secretary has written to the UK government expressing a willingness to work with it, while the real questions are for the Post Office and that is why the public inquiry is so important.
Scottish Labour's Anas Sarwar said the lives of hundreds of sub-postmasters were ruined by the scandal which was a “national disgrace”.
Yousaf said it was important for all UK parties to “reflect on their relationship with the Post Office” and “whether they were listening” to the victims.
For the Lib Dems, Alex Cole-Hamilton asked why the Scottish government's budget delivers a real-terms cut to drug services. The first minister insisted the Scottish government is not reducing the cash available.
Conservative MSP Roz McCall raised reports that The Promise - Nicola Sturgeon’s flagship plan to help children in care - was not on track to deliver effective change.
Nicola Sturgeon made a rare FMQs contribution from the backbenches and said “significant progress” made in delivering The Promise must continue. Yousaf said his government was “resolute and unwavering” in its commitment to young people.
On a question about the XL bully dog breed, Yousaf said it had become clear there had been a flow of these dogs coming to Scotland and there would be a ministerial statement next week on replicating the legal restrictions in place in England and Wales.
That's all from the live page team today, so thanks for joining us. The editor was Paul McLaren and the writers were Glenn Campbell, Andrew Kerr, Kirsten Campbell, Craig Hutchison and Paul Hastie.
Analysis
Lord advocate briefing MSPs on Post Office scandal won't be enough
Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent
The Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross made clear he
believes that the Crown office, which was responsible for prosecuting sub-postmasters in Scotland, has serious questions to answer.
He’s not alone, the anger among MSPs about the Post office
scandal is palpable.
First Minister Humza Yousaf may have begun FMQs by saying
he’d spoken to the lord advocate, and that she had offered to brief MSPs.
But that won’t be sufficient.
Her statement needs to be made in public and to the
Parliament as a whole.
I fully expect Holyrood’s planned business next week will be
amended to make time for a statement from Dorothy Bain.
Background: American XL bully ban in Scotland 'likely by end of month'
Andrew Kerr
Scottish political correspondent
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
American XL bully dogs are already subject to restrictions in England and WalesImage caption: American XL bully dogs are already subject to restrictions in England and Wales
A ban on XL bully dogs in Scotland is likely by the end of the month, BBC Scotland News understands.
Due to rising concerns over attacks and even deaths, the breed has been banned by the UK government in England and Wales.
It will be illegal to own this type of dog south of the border from 1 February without an exemption certificate.
On Tuesday Scotland's Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown told MSPs she was urgently reviewing the matter.
And she advised potential owners: "It would be preferable not to acquire any such dog at the present time in Scotland."
BBC Scotland News understands that a Scottish ban could be in force by the end of January.
FM confirms American XL bully statement at Holyrood next week
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asks about the controversial XL bully dog breedImage caption: SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asks about the controversial XL bully dog breed
SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asks about the controversial XL bully dog breed and
the first minister responds by saying it has become clear there has been a flow
of these dogs coming to Scotland.
There will be a ministerial statement next week where details will be given on replicating the legal restrictions now in place in England and Wales, says Yousaf.
Background: What is The Promise?
Nicola Sturgeon has already admitted her flagship plan to help children in care in Scotland is at risk of failing to deliver effective change.
The ex-first minister told a BBC podcast that "vested interests" were pushing back against her reforms.
FM confirms £50m for The Promise in response to Sturgeon plea
BBCCopyright: BBC
Nicola Sturgeon makes a rare FMQs contribution from the backbenches as she asks her successor as first minister if he agrees the significant progress that has been made in delivering The Promise must continue and intensify.
Sturgeon asks if Humza Yousaf agrees the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund is absolutely essential and calls for a commitment that the fund will be delivered in full.
Yousaf begins by saying there would not be a Promise without Sturgeon and the efforts of young care-experienced people.
The FM insists the fund is central to keeping The Promise and points to £50m for the fund in the 2024/25 budget.
Our commitment to Sturgeon's 'Promise' is unwavering - Yousaf
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Conservative MSP Roz McCall says Nicola Sturgeon's plan to help children in care is not on trackImage caption: Conservative MSP Roz McCall says Nicola Sturgeon's plan to help children in care is not on track
Conservative MSP Roz McCall raises reports that The Promise - Nicola Sturgeon’s flagship plan to help children in care - is not on track to deliver effective change for Scotland’s care experienced people.
McCall says despite “laudable ambitions” there is no clear detail around its delivery. She says the outgoing children's commissioner said former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had “failed young people” and says councils need adequate funding to get The Promise back on track.
Yousaf says keeping The Promise is a “top priority” for his government and says when he met with the group’s adviser, Fiona Duncan, she confirmed that it can be delivered. He says it had met many of its goals but there was still more to do. He says the government would do everything in its power to deliver The Promise.
The FM insists his government is “resolute and unwavering” in its commitment to young people.
Don't oppose net zero goals for the sake of it - Yousaf
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about the UK government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing BillImage caption: SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about the UK government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
Stuart McMillan asks about the implications of the UK government’s Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill to the Scottish government's net zero goals.
The SNP MSP says the just transition to re-skill workers in the oil and gas sector is vital to help deliver the energy Scotland uses - and says only as an independent nation can Scotland get an energy policy “fit for the future”.
Yousaf uses the question from his party colleague as an opportunity to criticise the Conservatives and claims UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “spent more time on his private jet” than he did on climate discussions at COP28.
The first minister says it “would really help” if every time the Scottish government proposed action to tackle the climate crisis, opposition parties didn’t oppose it “for opposition's sake”.
Call for Grangemouth to continue as 'a Scottish refinery'
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Alba MSP Ash Regan says the refining of oil must continue at GrangemouthImage caption: Alba MSP Ash Regan says the refining of oil must continue at Grangemouth
Alba MSP Ash Regan says the refining of oil must continue at Grangemouth and calls for a rescue package for the plant "to secure its long-term future as a Scottish refinery".
The first minister replies that the Future Industries Board is looking at this very issue and will meet in the coming weeks.
He agrees Grangemouth needs to have a sustainable future.
Background: Street drugs stronger than heroin linked to 54 deaths in UK
JACKIE MCANOYCopyright: JACKIE MCANOY
Simeon McAnoy was found unresponsive after taking a synthetic opioid drug, his mother saysImage caption: Simeon McAnoy was found unresponsive after taking a synthetic opioid drug, his mother says
Super-strength street drugs more powerful than heroin have been linked to at least 54 deaths in the UK in the last six months, the BBC has been told.
The deaths are all linked to synthetic opioids called nitazenes, which experts fear are being manufactured in labs and then imported into the UK from China.
However, the true total could be higher - the National Crime Agency (NCA) said 40 more cases awaited further testing.
The UK government plans to classify 15 new synthetic opioids as Class A drugs.
Experts say the new drugs can be stronger than both heroin and fentanyl, another synthetic opioid, which isa leading killer in the US- contributing to 75,000 deaths last year.
Warning: This article contains descriptions of drugs use
Scottish Lib Dem leader raises concerns about synthetic opiod deaths
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton asks about the synthetic opioid nitazeneImage caption: Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton asks about the synthetic opioid nitazene
Alex Cole-Hamilton goes on a different tack from Ross and Sarwar and asks about the synthetic opiod, nitazene.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the drug has been responsible for the deaths of nine Scots in Scotland.
He asks why the Scottish government's budget delivers a real-terms cut to drug services.
The first minister insists the Scottish government is not reducing the cash available for the national mission of dealing with drug deaths.
Yousaf agrees with Alex Cole-Hamilton about the dangers of niazene and says a number of actions are being taken to address this.
All parties should reflect on relationship with Post office - Yousaf
Anas Sarwar says the Post Office acted like a “private police force”, as an inquiry heard employees were going door-to-door threatening to get money from sub-postmasters.
He says this “potentially criminal behaviour” should be properly investigated and those behind the scandal “should not go unpunished”. He adds that the “silence, denial and cover-up” compounds the pain of the victims.
Yousaf says the behaviour of the Post Office should be “rightly interrogated” and it is up to the Crown Office to investigate any allegations of criminal behaviour.
He also points out that Labour were in government in the UK for a period during the reports from sub-postmasters and says it is important for all UK parties to “reflect on their relationship with the Post Office” and “whether they were listening” to the victims of the scandal.
Analysis
How the Horizon Post Office scandal has affected Scotland
Katie Hunter
BBC Scotland reporter
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The Post Office Horizon scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history.
People running post offices were accused of crimes like theft, false accounting or embezzlement on the basis of a faulty IT system called Horizon.
Some were convicted and sent to prison, others lost their livelihoods and reputations.
Their plight has been highlighted in a new ITV drama called Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
In Scotland the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service holds sole responsibility for prosecutions. That's different to England where the Post Office prosecuted cases.
In 2020 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) - which investigates possible miscarriages of justice - wrote to 73 potential victims of the Horizon scandal in Scotland.
Post Office scandal was national disgrace - Sarwar
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called the scandal a national disgraceImage caption: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called the scandal a national disgrace
Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar says the lives of hundreds of sub-postmasters were ruined by the scandal which was a “national disgrace”.
He says, in Scotland ,the prosecutions were carried out by the Crown Office and asks what conversations the first minister has had about the role of Scottish institutions in prosecuting these cases, and how it was allowed to happen for so long.
Yousaf says it would have been “wholly inappropriate” for a minister to ask to see the evidence for a prosecution, referring to his past role as Scottish Justice Secretary.
He says the lord advocate is open to briefing members of the Scottish parliament.
The FM says at the heart of this, people’s lives have been ruined and it is “incumbent on the government” to ensure that justice and access to compensation is forthcoming and unimpeded.
Ross argues lord advocate should make a statement to MSPs
The Scottish Tory leader says the Crown Office in Scotland must be transparent and he calls for Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, the Scottish government's senior law officer, to give a statement at Holyrood.
Humza Yousaf points out Dorothy Bain is independent from him and he says she was more than happy to consider a briefing or statement.
He says the campaigners have "waited far too long for justice" and he says his government will work with the UK government to resolve this.
FM: Real questions are for Post Office, not Crown Office
Ross says the actions of the Crown Office should "trouble us greatly".
The Scottish Tory leader says that it should have disclosed concerns about the Horizon programme in 2013 and he asks if its officials have "serious concerns to answer here".
The first minister replies the real questions are for the Post Office and that is why the public inquiry is so important.
The Post Office is a wholly reserved institution run by government ministers, he stresses.
Does the process in Scotland need to be accelerated?
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
First Minister Humza Yousaf says that inaccurate evidence from the Post Office is at the heart of the scandalImage caption: First Minister Humza Yousaf says that inaccurate evidence from the Post Office is at the heart of the scandal
Douglas Ross says Scotland's Crown Office was made aware of problems with the Horizon programme in 2013.
The Scottish Tory leader asks if the FM agrees that the process here in Scotland needs to be accelerated.
Humza Yousaf points out there is a public inquiry under way and that inaccurate evidence from the Post Office is at the heart of the scandal.
He adds that he understands when the Crown Office was informed about the problems it provided guidance to treat cases on evidence that did not rely on Horizon.
The first minister says, post-2015, the Crown Office said it would not prosecute solely on Horizon evidence.
Horizon Post Office scandal is a 'horrendous miscarriage of justice'
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the Horizon Post Office scandal is a horrendous miscarriage of justice.Image caption: Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the Horizon Post Office scandal is a horrendous miscarriage of justice.
The Scottish Conservative leader begins talking about the Horizon Post Office scandal by saying it is a "horrendous miscarriage of justice".
Douglas Ross asks the first minister if a legislative consent motion (LCM) between the UK and Scottish governments is the fastest way to clear everyone in Scotland.
The first minister pays tribute to campaigning former sub-postmaster Alan Bates and all the other campaigners and adds it should not have taken a TV drama to bring about change.
He says his justice secretary has written to the UK government expressing willingness to work with it and aghrees an LCM is likely to be the fastest route.
Yousaf stresses that his government will work urgently as sub-postmasters should not have to wait for a moment longer.
FMQs begins
Humza Yousaf is in place and Douglas Ross gets to his feet to begin the first FMQs of 2024.
Analysis
How easy will it be to clear Scottish postmasters?
Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Editor
Rishi Sunak and Humza Yousaf have found something they agree on - that Post Office branch managers wrongly convicted in the Horizon scandal should be cleared.
What they do not yet agree on is how that should be achieved in Scotland.
When it became clear that the UK government was considering legislation to overturn convictions in England and Wales, the Scottish government said it was looking at doing something similar.
Then when Rishi Sunak actually announced his plans, the Scottish position shifted with Humza Yousaf calling for a UK-wide solution - not necessarily the default position of an independence-supporting politician.
The first minister has suggested that the "easiest and fastest" solution could be for Westminster legislation to be extended to cover Scottish cases with Holyrood's approval.
Live Reporting
Edited by Paul McLaren
All times stated are UK
-
Douglas Ross questioned the first minister on the Horizon Post Office scandal and said it was a "horrendous miscarriage of justice".
-
Yousaf said his justice secretary has written to the UK government expressing a willingness to work with it, while the real questions are for the Post Office and that is why the public inquiry is so important.
-
Scottish Labour's Anas Sarwar said the lives of hundreds of sub-postmasters were ruined by the scandal which was a “national disgrace”.
-
Yousaf said it was important for all UK parties to “reflect on their relationship with the Post Office” and “whether they were listening” to the victims.
-
For the Lib Dems, Alex Cole-Hamilton asked why the Scottish government's budget delivers a real-terms cut to drug services. The first minister insisted the Scottish government is not reducing the cash available.
-
Conservative MSP Roz McCall raised reports that The Promise - Nicola Sturgeon’s flagship plan to help children in care - was not on track to deliver effective change.
-
Nicola Sturgeon made a rare FMQs contribution from the backbenches and said “significant progress” made in delivering The Promise must continue. Yousaf said his government was “resolute and unwavering” in its commitment to young people.
-
On a question about the XL bully dog breed, Yousaf said it had become clear there had been a flow of these dogs coming to Scotland and there would be a ministerial statement next week on replicating the legal restrictions in place in England and Wales.
Analysis
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media American XL bully dogs are already subject to restrictions in England and WalesImage caption: American XL bully dogs are already subject to restrictions in England and Wales - Read more here
- Dog owners warned not to rehome banned XL bullies in Scotland
- XL bully ban: Couple considers move to Scotland
- What is an American XL bully and why are they being banned?
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asks about the controversial XL bully dog breedImage caption: SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asks about the controversial XL bully dog breed - Read more here
- Under 18s in Scotland will no longer be jailed
- Sturgeon pledges radical overhaul of care system
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament Conservative MSP Roz McCall says Nicola Sturgeon's plan to help children in care is not on trackImage caption: Conservative MSP Roz McCall says Nicola Sturgeon's plan to help children in care is not on track 
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about the UK government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing BillImage caption: SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about the UK government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill 
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament Alba MSP Ash Regan says the refining of oil must continue at GrangemouthImage caption: Alba MSP Ash Regan says the refining of oil must continue at Grangemouth 
JACKIE MCANOYCopyright: JACKIE MCANOY Simeon McAnoy was found unresponsive after taking a synthetic opioid drug, his mother saysImage caption: Simeon McAnoy was found unresponsive after taking a synthetic opioid drug, his mother says 
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton asks about the synthetic opioid nitazeneImage caption: Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton asks about the synthetic opioid nitazene Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images - Read more here
- Post Office scandal victims in Scotland to be cleared
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called the scandal a national disgraceImage caption: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called the scandal a national disgrace 
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament First Minister Humza Yousaf says that inaccurate evidence from the Post Office is at the heart of the scandalImage caption: First Minister Humza Yousaf says that inaccurate evidence from the Post Office is at the heart of the scandal 
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the Horizon Post Office scandal is a horrendous miscarriage of justice.Image caption: Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the Horizon Post Office scandal is a horrendous miscarriage of justice. Analysis
Latest PostFMQs: What you need to know
That brings FMQs to an end. Here are the headlines from today’s session in the chamber.
That's all from the live page team today, so thanks for joining us. The editor was Paul McLaren and the writers were Glenn Campbell, Andrew Kerr, Kirsten Campbell, Craig Hutchison and Paul Hastie.
Lord advocate briefing MSPs on Post Office scandal won't be enough
Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent
The Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross made clear he believes that the Crown office, which was responsible for prosecuting sub-postmasters in Scotland, has serious questions to answer.
He’s not alone, the anger among MSPs about the Post office scandal is palpable.
First Minister Humza Yousaf may have begun FMQs by saying he’d spoken to the lord advocate, and that she had offered to brief MSPs.
But that won’t be sufficient.
Her statement needs to be made in public and to the Parliament as a whole.
I fully expect Holyrood’s planned business next week will be amended to make time for a statement from Dorothy Bain.
Background: American XL bully ban in Scotland 'likely by end of month'
Andrew Kerr
Scottish political correspondent
A ban on XL bully dogs in Scotland is likely by the end of the month, BBC Scotland News understands.
Due to rising concerns over attacks and even deaths, the breed has been banned by the UK government in England and Wales.
It will be illegal to own this type of dog south of the border from 1 February without an exemption certificate.
On Tuesday Scotland's Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown told MSPs she was urgently reviewing the matter.
And she advised potential owners: "It would be preferable not to acquire any such dog at the present time in Scotland."
BBC Scotland News understands that a Scottish ban could be in force by the end of January.
FM confirms American XL bully statement at Holyrood next week
SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asks about the controversial XL bully dog breed and the first minister responds by saying it has become clear there has been a flow of these dogs coming to Scotland.
There will be a ministerial statement next week where details will be given on replicating the legal restrictions now in place in England and Wales, says Yousaf.
Background: What is The Promise?
Nicola Sturgeon has already admitted her flagship plan to help children in care in Scotland is at risk of failing to deliver effective change.
The ex-first minister told a BBC podcast that "vested interests" were pushing back against her reforms.
The scheme launched during her time in office, known as The Promise, was designed to improve the lives of care-experienced children and young people.
But she has raised concerns the programme is not meeting its aims.
Ms Sturgeon, now a backbench MSP, vowed to hold the Scottish government to account to ensure the plan is delivered properly.
FM confirms £50m for The Promise in response to Sturgeon plea
Nicola Sturgeon makes a rare FMQs contribution from the backbenches as she asks her successor as first minister if he agrees the significant progress that has been made in delivering The Promise must continue and intensify.
Sturgeon asks if Humza Yousaf agrees the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund is absolutely essential and calls for a commitment that the fund will be delivered in full.
Yousaf begins by saying there would not be a Promise without Sturgeon and the efforts of young care-experienced people.
The FM insists the fund is central to keeping The Promise and points to £50m for the fund in the 2024/25 budget.
Our commitment to Sturgeon's 'Promise' is unwavering - Yousaf
Conservative MSP Roz McCall raises reports that The Promise - Nicola Sturgeon’s flagship plan to help children in care - is not on track to deliver effective change for Scotland’s care experienced people.
McCall says despite “laudable ambitions” there is no clear detail around its delivery. She says the outgoing children's commissioner said former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had “failed young people” and says councils need adequate funding to get The Promise back on track.
Yousaf says keeping The Promise is a “top priority” for his government and says when he met with the group’s adviser, Fiona Duncan, she confirmed that it can be delivered. He says it had met many of its goals but there was still more to do. He says the government would do everything in its power to deliver The Promise.
The FM insists his government is “resolute and unwavering” in its commitment to young people.
Don't oppose net zero goals for the sake of it - Yousaf
Stuart McMillan asks about the implications of the UK government’s Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill to the Scottish government's net zero goals.
The SNP MSP says the just transition to re-skill workers in the oil and gas sector is vital to help deliver the energy Scotland uses - and says only as an independent nation can Scotland get an energy policy “fit for the future”.
Yousaf uses the question from his party colleague as an opportunity to criticise the Conservatives and claims UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “spent more time on his private jet” than he did on climate discussions at COP28.
The first minister says it “would really help” if every time the Scottish government proposed action to tackle the climate crisis, opposition parties didn’t oppose it “for opposition's sake”.
Call for Grangemouth to continue as 'a Scottish refinery'
Alba MSP Ash Regan says the refining of oil must continue at Grangemouth and calls for a rescue package for the plant "to secure its long-term future as a Scottish refinery".
The first minister replies that the Future Industries Board is looking at this very issue and will meet in the coming weeks.
He agrees Grangemouth needs to have a sustainable future.
Background: Street drugs stronger than heroin linked to 54 deaths in UK
Super-strength street drugs more powerful than heroin have been linked to at least 54 deaths in the UK in the last six months, the BBC has been told.
The deaths are all linked to synthetic opioids called nitazenes, which experts fear are being manufactured in labs and then imported into the UK from China.
However, the true total could be higher - the National Crime Agency (NCA) said 40 more cases awaited further testing.
The UK government plans to classify 15 new synthetic opioids as Class A drugs.
Nitazenes first made news in the UK in 2021, whenan 18-year-old patient was treated for a non-fatal overdose.
Experts say the new drugs can be stronger than both heroin and fentanyl, another synthetic opioid, which isa leading killer in the US- contributing to 75,000 deaths last year.
Read more here.
Warning: This article contains descriptions of drugs use
Scottish Lib Dem leader raises concerns about synthetic opiod deaths
Alex Cole-Hamilton goes on a different tack from Ross and Sarwar and asks about the synthetic opiod, nitazene.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the drug has been responsible for the deaths of nine Scots in Scotland.
He asks why the Scottish government's budget delivers a real-terms cut to drug services.
The first minister insists the Scottish government is not reducing the cash available for the national mission of dealing with drug deaths.
Yousaf agrees with Alex Cole-Hamilton about the dangers of niazene and says a number of actions are being taken to address this.
All parties should reflect on relationship with Post office - Yousaf
Anas Sarwar says the Post Office acted like a “private police force”, as an inquiry heard employees were going door-to-door threatening to get money from sub-postmasters.
He says this “potentially criminal behaviour” should be properly investigated and those behind the scandal “should not go unpunished”. He adds that the “silence, denial and cover-up” compounds the pain of the victims.
Yousaf says the behaviour of the Post Office should be “rightly interrogated” and it is up to the Crown Office to investigate any allegations of criminal behaviour.
He also points out that Labour were in government in the UK for a period during the reports from sub-postmasters and says it is important for all UK parties to “reflect on their relationship with the Post Office” and “whether they were listening” to the victims of the scandal.
How the Horizon Post Office scandal has affected Scotland
Katie Hunter
BBC Scotland reporter
The Post Office Horizon scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history.
People running post offices were accused of crimes like theft, false accounting or embezzlement on the basis of a faulty IT system called Horizon.
Some were convicted and sent to prison, others lost their livelihoods and reputations.
Their plight has been highlighted in a new ITV drama called Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
In Scotland the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service holds sole responsibility for prosecutions. That's different to England where the Post Office prosecuted cases.
In 2020 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) - which investigates possible miscarriages of justice - wrote to 73 potential victims of the Horizon scandal in Scotland.
Post Office scandal was national disgrace - Sarwar
Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar says the lives of hundreds of sub-postmasters were ruined by the scandal which was a “national disgrace”.
He says, in Scotland ,the prosecutions were carried out by the Crown Office and asks what conversations the first minister has had about the role of Scottish institutions in prosecuting these cases, and how it was allowed to happen for so long.
Yousaf says it would have been “wholly inappropriate” for a minister to ask to see the evidence for a prosecution, referring to his past role as Scottish Justice Secretary.
He says the lord advocate is open to briefing members of the Scottish parliament.
The FM says at the heart of this, people’s lives have been ruined and it is “incumbent on the government” to ensure that justice and access to compensation is forthcoming and unimpeded.
Ross argues lord advocate should make a statement to MSPs
The Scottish Tory leader says the Crown Office in Scotland must be transparent and he calls for Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, the Scottish government's senior law officer, to give a statement at Holyrood.
Humza Yousaf points out Dorothy Bain is independent from him and he says she was more than happy to consider a briefing or statement.
He says the campaigners have "waited far too long for justice" and he says his government will work with the UK government to resolve this.
FM: Real questions are for Post Office, not Crown Office
Ross says the actions of the Crown Office should "trouble us greatly".
The Scottish Tory leader says that it should have disclosed concerns about the Horizon programme in 2013 and he asks if its officials have "serious concerns to answer here".
The first minister replies the real questions are for the Post Office and that is why the public inquiry is so important.
The Post Office is a wholly reserved institution run by government ministers, he stresses.
Does the process in Scotland need to be accelerated?
Douglas Ross says Scotland's Crown Office was made aware of problems with the Horizon programme in 2013.
The Scottish Tory leader asks if the FM agrees that the process here in Scotland needs to be accelerated.
Humza Yousaf points out there is a public inquiry under way and that inaccurate evidence from the Post Office is at the heart of the scandal.
He adds that he understands when the Crown Office was informed about the problems it provided guidance to treat cases on evidence that did not rely on Horizon.
The first minister says, post-2015, the Crown Office said it would not prosecute solely on Horizon evidence.
Horizon Post Office scandal is a 'horrendous miscarriage of justice'
The Scottish Conservative leader begins talking about the Horizon Post Office scandal by saying it is a "horrendous miscarriage of justice".
Douglas Ross asks the first minister if a legislative consent motion (LCM) between the UK and Scottish governments is the fastest way to clear everyone in Scotland.
The first minister pays tribute to campaigning former sub-postmaster Alan Bates and all the other campaigners and adds it should not have taken a TV drama to bring about change.
He says his justice secretary has written to the UK government expressing willingness to work with it and aghrees an LCM is likely to be the fastest route.
Yousaf stresses that his government will work urgently as sub-postmasters should not have to wait for a moment longer.
FMQs begins
Humza Yousaf is in place and Douglas Ross gets to his feet to begin the first FMQs of 2024.
How easy will it be to clear Scottish postmasters?
Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Editor
Rishi Sunak and Humza Yousaf have found something they agree on - that Post Office branch managers wrongly convicted in the Horizon scandal should be cleared.
What they do not yet agree on is how that should be achieved in Scotland.
When it became clear that the UK government was considering legislation to overturn convictions in England and Wales, the Scottish government said it was looking at doing something similar.
Then when Rishi Sunak actually announced his plans, the Scottish position shifted with Humza Yousaf calling for a UK-wide solution - not necessarily the default position of an independence-supporting politician.
The first minister has suggested that the "easiest and fastest" solution could be for Westminster legislation to be extended to cover Scottish cases with Holyrood's approval.
Read more here.