STURGEON & YOUSAF APPLY TO STAND IN 2026 POLI

..but shamed MSP Matheson and London leader Flynn tight-lipped

- PAUL HUTCHEON

NICOLA Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have applied to stand for the SNP again at the next Holyrood election.

The two former first ministers had been tipped to quit but they are keeping their options open.

Party bosses set a closing date of November 11 for anyone wanting to run in 2026.

Sturgeon served as first minister for nine tumultuous years before standing down last year.

She faced major problems towards the end of her career in Bute House, most notably a police investigation into alleged fraud in the SNP. A party insider said she had applied but had not made a decision on whether she would run.

Sturgeon has been an MSP since 1999 and is currently writing a book about her time in office.