Humza Yousaf has been accused of plotting an alliance to “break up the United Kingdom” after he held a meeting with Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill.
The meeting, which was the pair’s first in-person meeting since Yousaf became First Minister, was held at Bute House on Wednesday.
O’Neill met with former leader Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh last year.
Sinn Fein is the largest Irish republican party and was historically associated with the IRA.
WATCH: Humza Yousaf outlines the SNP’s plan for independence
Speaking after the meeting, O’Neill, who is the vice president of the party, said: “We’ve already [got] strong relationships, always have had, and I want to see that continue in the time ahead.
“I think it was important to meet this week given that later this week, there will be a British-Irish Council meeting.
“Unfortunately because of the political situation in the north of Ireland, the Executive will not be there.”
She added: “I think that it’s important that we get back to the juncture where we have an Executive up and running, where we have power-sharing restored.
“That’s something that the First Minister, it’s an ambition he shares, he would like to see power-sharing restored in the north.
“I wanted to give him an update in terms of where we’re at in terms of the political situation at home, and hopefully that in the coming weeks that a decision will be made, a positive decision by the DUP to return to power-sharing.”
Despite Sinn Fein’s aim of returning to power-sharing, the party has republican aims.
Power sharing in Northern Ireland was suspended after the DUP boycotted the Stormont assembly in protest of checks between Northern Ireland and the Republic, introduced as a result of Brexit.
Scottish Conservative shadow constitution secretary Donald Cameron claimed the meeting shows Yousaf will “gladly work with anyone who supports his aim of breaking up the United Kingdom”.
He said: “This makes it abundantly clear that the First Minister, just like his predecessor, will gladly work with anyone who supports his aim of breaking up the United Kingdom.
“Many Scots will be deeply uncomfortable at the sight of Scotland’s First Minister associating himself with Sinn Fein, and will wonder where this fits with the SNP’s supposed ‘civic nationalism’.
“It’s important to remember that almost every intervention the SNP makes is done so with the selfish goal of independence in mind.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The meeting , which was the pair’s first in person meeting since Yousaf became First Minister, was held at Bute House on Wednesday
PA
Posting on X after the meeting, Yousaf said: “Delighted to welcome [Michelle O’Neil] to Bute House.
“We discussed hopes of a deal to restore power-sharing and the opportunity for more co-operation between Scotland & Northern Ireland.
“Including on tackling Westminster’s cost of living crisis and underinvestment in public services.”
The SNP and Humza Yousaf’s office have been contacted for comment.
