Douglas Ross claims Nicola Sturgeon will step down as First Minister by next election

In an interview with The Telegraph, the Scottish Tory leader set out his plan to try and oust the SNP and made several claims about the future of the party.

Ross went on to claim Sturgeon had become increasingly “aggressive” and “rattled” in her responses to opposition politicians in Holyrood.

And he said Humza Yousaf won’t succeed the FM as he was already “out of his depth”.

READ MORE: WATCH: The moment Nicola Sturgeon told off Douglas Ross at FMQs

Speaking about why he thinks Sturgeon will quit as leader of the SNP, he said: “I just think if you look at her demeanour.

“She is more rattled, more aggressive in her responses and she just looks a bit fed up at times."

"I don't get the impression she wants to be there. She has now been in charge for seven years and in government for 14 years.

“I don't think she herself believes the SNP has got the policies to improve things for the people of Scotland."

The Moray MP then took aim at Health Secretary Yousaf, saying: "While he is very good at smiling for the camera, he seems not so good at actually developing policies, developing plans and implementing them," the Scottish Tory leader said.

"Those that suffer are the patients who need the NHS and the staff within the NHS who are working their socks off.

"They are being hampered by a lack of leadership by both the First Minister and the Health Secretary and I think it has undoubtedly damaged his own popularity within the party because they can see what everyone else in Scotland can see, that he is out of his depth."

Douglas Ross said Humza Yousaf (pictured) wouldn't replace Nicola Sturgeon as FM

Ross, who is the Scottish Tory party leader, an MP, MSP and professional assistant football referee, said the Tories had changed strategy from one focussing on preventing indyref2.

He said: "Our strategy has changed from the one that was successful for us in stopping an SNP majority this year, to one that stops the SNP being in government in five years' time.

"As we work through that strategy over the next five years, it's highlighting the failures that currently exist here in Scotland because of decisions taken by the SNP and how we would do things differently."

He said his party will produce a policy platform on domestic issues in an effort to prove to Scots it can govern.

READ MORE: Vaccine passports Scotland: Douglas Ross in last-ditch attempt to block scheme

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the Tories won 31 seats – far below the SNP which came away with 64.

The Greens, which have 8 MSPs, have since formed a co-operation agreement with the SNP government.

The total of the two parties gives Holyrood a majority of independence supporting MSPs.

Ross has said that he will use this agreement with the Greens and SNP to try and attract disillusioned Labour supporters in the north east with a Tory charm offensive.

The SNP have been contacted for comment.