Three MSPs have declared their intention to stand to be the next SNP leader and become First Minister.

Glasgow Pollok MSP, Humza Yousaf, has joined Kate Forbes and Ash Regan who want to succeed Nicola Sturgeon after she announced her resignation as First Minster last week.

The route to a second independence referendum and the gender recognition reform bill will be key issues in the contest as both are currently Scottish government policy and have the majority support in the Scottish Parliament but are blocked by the UK Government.

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Mr Yousaf has said he has concerns over using the general election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence, as Nicola Sturgeon wanted to do.

He said he wanted to work with party members to decide the best route to securing independence.

He said: "I've got some concerns. I'm not wedded to the idea of using a general election as a de facto referendum.

"But what I would say is that we have to stop talking about process, and start talking about policy, because if independence becomes the settled will of the Scottish people then those political obstacles will disappear."

He added: “I'm not going to tell them this is the method I want that you have to accept."

On the Gender Recognition Reform Act, he said: "There's the principle of the Section 35 order which I think we have to defend the Scottish Parliament against that.

"But I think on the issue more broadly, I'd be keen to work with those who have got real concerns. Let's engage with them. Let's try to bring them around the table. Let's not let this issue define us as a movement."

Ms Regan resigned from her post as a minister over the GRR bill and has said she would not pursue it as leader.

On independence, she said any pro-independence majority at a Westminster or Holyrood election should be taken as a mandate for independence.

She said: "On my first day as leader, I will call for an independence convention to be held.

"This will involve all pro-independence parties, independence organisations, think tanks and civil society to organise a new independence campaign body.

"We will build coalitions, reach out across all of the society and secure a pro-independence majority, which cannot be ignored."

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Finance Secretary Ms Forbes, currently on maternity leave from Holyrood, said the new leader has to “reach out and listen".

She said: "The choices that we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and on our children's future."

She added: "More than anything we need a leader who is bold, brave and energised, fresh-faced and ready for new challenges.

"Somebody who inspires your confidence as an SNP member and who inspires the confidence of the people of Scotland to vote for a better future

"I am that leader and I want to lead our party into better days with integrity and commitment for the sake of your children and my children."