The health secretary was endorsed by far more MSPs and MPs than his two rivals.

When the 37-year-old is confirmed as Scotland's first minister, he will make history as the first ethnic minority leader of a devolved government and the first Muslim to lead a major UK party.

His father is originally from Pakistan and emigrated to Scotland with his family in the 1960s, while his mother was born into a south Asian family in Kenya. Mr Yousaf has often spoken about racist abuse he has faced.