SNP leadership candidate Humza Yousaf defends decision to miss 2014 gay marriage vote
A nominations closed in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Yousaf came under scrutiny for his whereabouts on the day the landmark legislation was passed.Mr Yousaf "did not have the courage" to vote for the bill at Stage Three due to the pressure he was under from religious figures."If you don't have the backbone to vote for what you believe in, that in my view, is not a good indicator of high-quality leadership.
Asked by BBC Scotland if he sought permission from the first minister to avoid the vote, Mr Yousaf said: "I don't know why Alex Neil has decided to intervene, but I've made my case and I've answered many questions on this already."I had an unavoidable meeting on a very important topic in relation to a prisoner on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy."Mr Neil, who is backing Ms Forbes, said that at least she was "open and honest" about her views.
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