HUMZA Yousaf will give a speech at an independence rally for the first time since becoming First Minister, he has announced.
The First Minister revealed this on Saturday at the Caird Hall in Dundee, when he addressed the SNP Independence Convention.
Believe in Scotland is teaming up with one of its affiliated national Yes groups, Yes for EU, to host the event in Edinburgh on September 2.
Yes for EU is a grassroots group set up in the wake of Brexit in 2020, with members campaigning for Scotland to rejoin the EU as an independent country.
Several high-profile guests are due to speak at the event, including Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn MSP, author, broadcaster and National columnist Lesley Riddoch, and Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp of Business for Scotland/Believe in Scotland. Folk singer Iona Fyfe (below) is also set to perform.
It comes after controversy surrounded Yousaf's appearance at the Coronation Day All Under One Banner march and rally through Glasgow.
While all three SNP leadership candidates indicated they would attend the Yes event during the contest, Yousaf ultimately pulled out of the rally after winning the race.
He instead represented Scotland at the Coronation in London in his role as first minister - angering some within the independence movement.
Looking ahead to the September rally, MacIntyre-Kemp said: "This will be Believe in Scotland’s first march and rally and we’re pleased to partner with Yes for EU.
"EU membership is a crucial argument for converting voters to Yes and it's also vital for Scotland's economy, as the Brexit disaster has proven.”
Morag Williamson, Yes for EU convener, added: “We’re delighted to join forces with Believe in Scotland for this event and we’re confident it will bring indy supporters together in striving for the aim of an independent Scotland in the EU."
Participants are asked to assemble for the march at Johnston Terrace by Edinburgh Castle at 1.30pm. The rally will then be held at the Scottish Parliament.
The Believe in Scotland campaign has attracted 131 affiliated local and 10 national Yes groups to the cause since 2019.
