Scottish nationalists have selected a politician committed to legalising abortion up to birth as the leader of the country’s governing party.

Humza Yousaf, a Muslim of Pakistani origin, is the new First Minister of the Scottish National Party, replacing Nicola Sturgeon who resigned in February amid controversy over her policies to allow people to change gender by self-identification.

Mr Yousaf has promised to bring forward abortion decriminalisation proposals in the “current parliament term”, a policy which pro-life groups say will mean abortion up to birth and for any reason.