BREAKING: Humza Yousaf resigns as First Minister after 13 months
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Exactly one year and one month on from taking office as First Minister, Humza Yousaf resigned after it became clear his position had become politically untenable.
Mr Yousaf was forced out when he lost support across the Scottish Parliament and was facing two motions of no confidence.
Mr Yousaf said: “I underestimated the hurt and upset I caused our Green colleagues.”
He added: “Trust is clearly fundamental” but he is “not willing to trade my values and principles to do a deal with whomever.”
The first submitted by Highland MSP Douglas Ross was very likely to pass unless Mr Yousaf could secure the support of one of two parties disenchanted with the SNP.
The first was Alba’s only MSP Ash Regan, a former SNP minister and leadership rival, but their demands, including an electoral pact, were too high for him.
The second was the former coalition party the Greens who seemed to be out for his blood – accusing him of “political cowardice” – and saying they lost trust in him.
Then over the weekend both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats refused his offer of talks centred on the best way to proceed with a minority government.
Scottish Labour had called for an election and, like the other major parties, were calling for Mr Yousaf to step down.
More to follow.
