HUMZA Yousaf has suggested that SNP candidates who do not have the right skills could be barred from standing at the next election.

The Health Secretary also said if he was First Minister all of his MPs, MSPs and councillors would need to be vetted before standing for re-election.

He said representing the party was an “immense privilege” and “nobody should have a free pass.”

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The comments came in response to a questionnaire from the SNP’s LGBTQI+ wing, Out for Independence. 

Both Mr Yousaf and Ash Regan sent answers back to the group’s queries on equal marriage, the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, conversion therapy, surrogacy, hate crime legislation and a number of internal issues. 

However, Kate Forbes did not. 

The group said they had hoped all three would have returned their answers before the ballot opened, but with the Finance Secretary’s responses missing, they empty chaired her, publishing the responses from her rivals and leaving her space blank. 

“It would be a disservice to our members and the two candidates who did complete this to not publish this now,” the group said. 

“If and when Kate decides to answer and return her sheet (we have sent a reminder follow up) we will upload her answer highlights and publish them in full on our blog as we did with the others. But for now, this will, unfortunately, have to do.”

Out for Independence does have links to Mr Yousaf. Declan Bench, who was the group’s National Secretary until last October, currently works for the Health Minister as an administrative assistant.

They also have a frosty relationship with Ms Forbes. Last month, Erin Lux, the current co-convenor of Out for Independence, submitted a formal complaint to National Secretary Lorna Finn, accusing the minister of breaching party rules on transphobia.

READ MORE: Kate Forbes may have breached SNP rules on transphobia

In their questionnaire, the group asked the candidates what they would do to reform vetting of both parliamentary and council candidates “so that we maintain high standards for elected office.”

They then went on to ask the leadership hopefuls if they agree that elected members should “continue to be vetted in line with new candidates.”

In his answer, Mr Yousaf said he would be “open to changes that improve our system.”

“Representing the SNPs as a councillor, MSP or MP is an immense privilege and responsibility and nobody should have a ‘free pass’ in that regard. 

“We must each demonstrate for each election that we have the skills to do the job on behalf of the party and the people we serve. 

“There needs to be equity in that process for everyone taking part. There is the issue of vetting, which relates to suitability for the role but also of skills assessment. 

“I think we need to be focused on ensuring that the process reflects the standards and skills we expect of our elected representatives.”

Ms Regan said vetting was “critical to ensure we have candidates at all levels who uphold our party's values and are set up for electoral success. 

She proposed an SNP Activist Academy to “support members through the process” which would include media training and mentoring.

Asked if they would defend the Gender Recognition Reform Bill against the UK Government’s Section 35 order, Mr Yousaf he was “unapologetic and unequivocal”  on the issue. 

“Their challenge to the GRR Bill is not only an affront to trans rights but also an affront to Scottish democracy,” he said. 

Ms Regan said she would not seek a judicial review but instead take the topic to a citizen's assembly to “allow the representative voice of Scotland to inform legislators of a workable approach to balance rights and protects for all of our people when there's an appetite to do so.”

Both of the candidates promised to defend equal marriage from any challenge. 

“I value and celebrate the relationships and marriages of my LGBTQ friends just the same as my heterosexual friends,” said Mr Yousaf. 

Ms Regan said she believed firmly that “love is love and should be celebrated and supported between consenting adults.”

READ MORE: Forbes insists independence after Yes vote won't take 'decades'

The two also committed to ensuring that abortion care is available up to 24 weeks uniformly across Scotland. 

On implementing the Hate Crime Bill, Mr Yousaf said he would “absolutely take this forward.” 

“I took this legislation forward as Justice Secretary because I wanted a more socially just and inclusive Scotland. This was my driver then and will be my driver as first minister. 

Ms Regan said it was important to understand why the legislation, which achieved Royal Assent almost two years ago, had not yet been implemented. 

“Legislation can only protect people if it's implementable,” she said

Asked if they would introduce legislation to "comprehensively" ban conversion therapy, Mr Yousaf offers an unequivocal yes. 

He said this was a manifesto commitment that he will honour.

"I would not see any reason, then, not to push the legislation forward. Please let me be clear, there is no place for conversion practices in a modern Scotland."

Ms Regan commits to looking in detail at any proposals "to ensure we put dignity, respect and consent at the heart of any process of support services.

"The presentation of complex health concerns must be fully understood and treated with a patient focus for good outcomes."

Both Ms Regan and Mr Yousaf said they would also look at the laws around surrogacy.

"I'm aware the current arrangement is complex, legalistic and favours biological parents," the Health Secretary said. "I think the process should allow for a much more nuanced and mixed family structure."

Ms Regan said surrogacy was "a very sensitive process which must be handled with utmost understanding and care to all concerned to mitigate risk of damaging outcomes for any or all concerned.

"The child must be the primary focus for safeguarding the experience of those who have been through this most intimate process must be sought to fully understand what the best way forward is."

Meanwhile, both Ms Regan and Ms Forbes did not reply to a request for information from the Equality Network and Stonewall.

The organisations approached all three candidates, with only Mr Yousaf replying.

Tim Hopkins, Director of the Equality Network said: “It is a matter of great concern to us that two of the three candidates for First Minister have not confirmed that they will continue with these clear commitments of the current Scottish Government. LGBT+ people will fear that equality could be about to go backwards.”

Colin Macfarlane, Director Nations Stonewall, said: “It is disappointing that so far only one candidate to be First Minister has committed to continue the current Scottish Government’s policies on LGBT+ equality.   

"Scotland has made remarkable progress over the last 20+ years on LGBT+ rights and LGBT+ people. Our friends, families and allies will want to see that continue.  We sincerely hope that the two candidates yet to respond to our letter will make time to do so and commit to make Scotland a country where all LGBT+ people are free to be themselves.”