Humza Yousaf says SNP is 'slightly down but definitely not out'

First Minister Humza Yousaf has said the SNP is "slightly down" but "definitely not out" after the most challenging period in its history.

The party has seen MP Lisa Cameron defect to the Tories amid bullying claims, a week after the SNP lost to Labour in a key by-election.

The SNP has also faced criticism from within its own ranks and is the subject of an ongoing police investigation.

But Mr Yousaf said support for independence remained high.

• MP Lisa Cameron defects from SNP to Conservatives

• Voters in East Kilbride react to MP's defection from SNP

• Labour defeats SNP to win Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election

The first minister told BBC Scotland News that some of the difficulties he had faced since he succeeded Nicola Sturgeon in March were "outwith my control".

"By anybody's definition I think this has been probably the most challenging period for our party in its modern history," he said.

And he issued a call for unity ahead of the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen this weekend.

Mr Yousaf said: "If you want to advance the cause of independence, if that is the reason you are in the SNP, then work with the party.

"Don't kick the party, don't damage the party, don't take shots at the party, because all it is going to do, I'm afraid, is set back the cause of independence."

Dr Lisa Cameron, who defected from the SNP to the Tories, was facing a selection contest

The first minister said his door was "genuinely open" for anyone who had any issues.

And he said he was buoyed by polls which suggested that "around 50% of the population believe that Scotland's future is best as an independent country".

Mr Yousaf also said he had "every confidence" about overcoming the challenges being faced by the party.

He said that while "we may be slightly down", the party was "definitely not out".

Last month former SNP minister Fergus Ewing was suspended from the party for a week after a disciplinary vote by MSPs.

He has been a critic of the party leadership and had voted against the government in a no-confidence motion.

Fergus Ewing has criticised the Scottish government over several of its policies

Mr Ewing said said he would not be "hounded out" of the party he loved and is set to appeal the decision.

Last week Labour defeated the SNP to win the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, with Michael Shanks receiving more than double the number of votes polled by the SNP's Katy Loudon.

Then Lisa Cameron announced her defection to the Conservatives on Thursday.

The East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP was facing a selection contest to remain as the SNP's candidate at the next general election.

She said she quit because of a "toxic" culture in the SNP's Westminster group.

The party also remains under investigation by Police Scotland over its finances, a probe that resulted in the arrests of Ms Sturgeon and her husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell.

Both were released without charge.