SCOTS must have the opportunity to "take our future into our own hands" after the country has recovered from coronavirus, Humza Yousaf has said ahead of May's election.

The Justice Secretary, who is also standing as a candidate in Glasgow Pollok, said indyref2 is essential as Westminster will hold the Scottish economy back.

"In this election the SNP’s offer is this – experienced leadership and serious government to lead Scotland through the pandemic and into recovery," Yousaf said in a speech.

"And when the crisis is over, and only then, we must have the right to decide whether to become an independent country and take our future into our own hands.

"That tells you why it is so important that Scotland’s future should be in Scotland’s hands. Because Westminster is taking Scotland in the wrong direction. Boris Johnson’s priorities are not Scotland’s priorities."

READ MORE: SNP slam report which says indy Scotland could fail to join Nato without nukes

Yousaf went on to discuss the Scottish Government's £60 million Youth Guarantee initiative, which will see young people guaranteed a job, education or formal training.

He added: "Westminster will hold our recovery back. Our Youth Guarantee will create jobs for young people. But Westminster’s hard Brexit will cost jobs.

"We’re taking action to lift children out of poverty. But the Tories’ benefit cuts are plunging more families into poverty. We are investing in the National Health Service. But we know Westminster can’t be trusted to protect it.

"We are investing in our children’s future. But Boris Johnson is using Scottish tax-payers’ money to pay for a huge increase in nuclear warheads.

He continued: "So Scotland’s recovery needs to be made in Scotland – focused on Scotland’s priorities, not Westminster’s. That’s why once the Covid crisis is over we believe people in Scotland have the right to decide their own future and whether they wish to become an independent country."

The SNP plans to hold indyref2 if Scotland votes for pro-independence parties at next month's election. They have said they will have a referendum even if Downing Street doesn’t consent.

Yousaf addressed comments from opposition parties like the Scottish Tories who say indyref2 is a distraction from coronavirus, saying: "Independence is not a distraction from recovery – it is essential for the long-term recovery people in Scotland deserve and need. Because it will equip our country and our Parliament with the powers to build the better Scotland we know is possible.

"In an independent Scotland the decisions about our future will be decided by the people who live here – not by Westminster. So other parties in this election, like Labour, who say we shouldn’t have the right to determine our own future, have made a choice.

"In the face of a Tory government at Westminster that is doing real harm to Scotland they’re shrugging their shoulders. They’ve decided Westminster should be allowed to determine Scotland’s future.

"They are giving permission to Boris Johnson to continue taking Scotland in the wrong direction. That’s not standing up for Scotland or for recovery. It’s letting people in Scotland down."

READ MORE: Poll predicts Tories will be biggest losers as Holyrood gets 29-seat Yes majority

He concluded: "The SNP will always stand up for the people of Scotland. We believe it is the people who live here who should be driving Scotland’s recovery. So at this election, vote SNP – for the experienced, committed leadership of Nicola Sturgeon to guide Scotland through the pandemic.

"Vote SNP for a government of bold progressive policies to kick-start recovery and build a fairer society. Vote SNP for the right to decide your future."

Yousaf also announced the creation of a victims’ commissioner and a consultation on scrapping the not proven verdict as part of SNP justice policies.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said over the weekend the controversial not proven verdict – which is unique to Scotland – should be “looked at”.

The Justice Secretary, who is also standing as a candidate in Glasgow Pollok, confirmed the party would launch a consultation into the verdict, which he said jurors sometimes struggle to understand and victims and their families say causes “significant distress”.

A number of political parties have voiced their opposition to the verdict, making the policy one that looks destined to pass Holyrood, regardless of the parliamentary status.

“In recognition of the strong case that has been made for its abolition, we will consult on the removal of the not proven verdict,” Yousaf said in a speech.

“We will work with all parties and with relevant stakeholders to take forward reform of Scotland’s justice system.

“The SNP Government is on your side and on the side of our communities.

“We will use all of our experience to do whatever we can to keep Scotland safe and continue to cut crime and help victims.”

READ MORE: SNP unveil plans to scrap not proven verdict and create victims’ commissioner

Under SNP plans, a victims’ commissioner will also be created to “challenge” the Scottish Government and legal authorities on behalf of victims.

Yousaf said: “The commissioner will provide an independent voice to victims and witnesses and review the provision of victims’ services.

“Where necessary, they will provide challenge to the government and those right across the justice system if there are steps we need to take to improve a victim’s justice journey.”

The SNP have also looked to Scandinavia to revamp its policies on children in the justice system, with the creation of what it calls the “Bairn’s Hoose”.

The facilities would act as a single point of contact for children involved in the criminal justice system.

“In Scotland we will introduce the Bairn’s Hoose, these centres will operate on the principle that the needs of children in criminal cases are totally different from adults in the same situation,” Yousaf said.

“The child will be the centre of their work and we will ensure that every child, victim or witness, will have access to a Bairn’s Hoose by 2025.”