The SNP could “make life very difficult” for Labour after the next general election if Sir Keir Starmer does not co-operate with it, Humza Yousaf has said.
The Scottish First Minister said a demand for a second independence referendum would be “top of the list” of his party’s requests if Labour needs help forming a government at Westminster.
The Labour leader has repeatedly said he will not do a deal with the SNP after the election.
During an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, Mr Yousaf said independence will be “front and centre” of the SNP’s campaign for the vote.
He spoke of his desire to grow support for independence, saying: “I don’t want to be there or thereabouts, I want independence to be the consistent, settled will.
“At the moment, for example, it’s pretty obvious that independence is not the consistent, settled will of the Scottish people.”
Asked if it is realistic that Scotland will remain part of the UK for another five years, he said: “Not if I’ve got anything to do with it.”
The SNP leader also said he has spoken to former first minister Nicola Sturgeon recently and said she is “in a good place and doing well”.
He continued: “Why would I not want to get some advice from arguably one of the best politicians, the most impressive politicians, Europe has seen over the last couple of decades?”
On the general election expected next year, he said the SNP will not prop up a Tory minority government, but noted minority governments often need help passing budgets.
Mr Yousaf said: “We would never prop up a Conservative government, ever. Underline that, put that in bold.
“But, of course, if Labour do not want to co-operate with us, then we would make life very difficult for them.”
This could include on the legislative process and the passing of budgets, he said.
Mr Yousaf, who succeeded Ms Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister in March, also ruled out a suggestion from Alex Salmond that pro-independence parties should form an alliance at the general election.
Later this month, SNP members will gather for a special convention to discuss the way forward in their push for independence.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “Humza Yousaf is just the latest high-profile member of the SNP to admit they’d usher in a Tory government.
“That threat is a betrayal to the people of Scotland, who are dealing with soaring living costs and falling wages.
“The next election is about getting rid of this morally bankrupt Conservative Government and delivering on Labour’s promise of lowering bills, strengthening workers’ rights and investing in the green jobs of the future.
“The SNP have made clear where their priorities lie – and that’s to make life difficult for an incoming Labour government.
“Only Labour can boot the Tories out Downing Street and deliver the change that people across Scotland are crying out for.”
