The Scottish First Minister says he believes the lives of Palestinians and Muslims are not valued as highly as others.
It means abandoning any claim that there might be a hung parliament in which the SNP could use their leverage to secure a second referendum.
After the general election, the pretence that the next big battle for independence is just around the corner will finally have run out of road.
Also: Delays in SNP fraud investigation risk impression of cover-up, senior lawyers warn.
Also: Another woeful week for the SNP as its health minister refuses to resign over £11k roaming fee and Yousaf defies calls for an ethics inquiry into allegations he misled the Scottish Parliament.
Also: Further outrage over Ferguson Marine as embattled shipyard at the heart of the ferry fiasco is found to have paid generous bonuses to bosses – without the Scottish Government’s approval.
Also: Both Drakeford and Yousaf accused of misleading their legislatures over their WhatsApps as the Covid Inquiry seeks records from the devolved governments.
Also: new polls suggest Labour has reached parity with the SNP in Scotland, and the projections indicate that the next election could be absolutely brutal for the Nationalists.
Also: Scottish Government urged to accelerate public sector reforms and overhaul council tax.
Also: Green MSP provokes outrage with pro-Hamas statement, putting even more pressure on Humza Yousaf ahead of the SNP conference this week.
Such was the state of the polls going into this race that even a narrow win would have seemed like a setback for Sir Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader. No fear of that now, and no comfort for Humza Yousaf.
Also: the Scottish Conservatives were one of the few genuinely chipper groups at conference; they seem widely to expect to pick up several seats from the SNP next year.
By itself, the policy will likely save lives and take anti-social behaviour off the streets. But that is no basis for effectively legalising demand for drugs whilst leaving supply in criminal hands.
In the meantime, it’s been another deluge of bad news for the Scottish Government on the domestic front. But when will that start telling decisively with Scottish voters?
Those who claim the Conservatives would benefit from a spell in opposition to ‘rest and detox’ are misguided. My first nine years in Parliament were spent in opposition, and it was a frustrating experience.