Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland's first minister
Scotland's First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has confirmed he will step down from his post after a tumultuous few days of cross-party fighting
Humza Yousaf has resigned as first minister of Scotland after a year in office.
Speaking at a press conference at Bute House, his official residence in Edinburgh, he said he is unwilling to undermine his "morals and values to retain power".
His resignation will now trigger an SNP leadership contest, but Mr Yousaf confirmed he will continue to serve in office in the interim until a suitable replacement is found.
It comes after days of tumultuous fighting cross-party following the collapse of a power-sharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens on Thursday.
While he said it was “the right decision”, he added: “Unfortunately in ending the Bute House Agreement in the matter I did I clearly underestimate the level of hurt and upset that caused Green colleagues.
“For a minority government to be able to govern effectively trust when working with the opposition is clearly fundamental.”
He added a route through the no-confidence vote was “absolutely possible”.
But he said: “I am not willing to trade in my values or principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power.”
Mr Yousaf was facing a vote of confidence, tabled by the Scottish Conservatives, while Scottish Labour tabled one for the Scottish Government as a whole.
Votes on the motions were expected at Holyrood in the coming week.
Mr Yousaf previously said he would not resign and he intended to win the confidence votes.
He described it as an “honour” to have served as Scotland’s First Minister. Just after announcing his resignation, Mr Yousaf said he “could never have dreamt that one day I would have the privilege of leading my country,” noting that as a boy, people of minority ethnicities were not seen in senior governmental roles. He called Scotland the only country he has ever called home, and at the end of his speech, concluded: “Although of course, I am sad that my time as First Minister is ending, but I am so grateful, I’m so blessed, for having the opportunity afforded to so few to lead my country, and who could ask for a better country to lead than Scotland?”
John Swinney ‘considering’ running to be next SNP leader
As questions begin to arise over who will succeed Mr Yousaf, likely contenders are being quizzed over their potential bids for leadership.
Among the expected candidates is John Swinney, who served as Scottish deputy first minister for eight years under Mr Yousaf’s predecessor Nicola Surgeon.
He said he was giving “active consideration” to running for the job, adding: "It’s likely I’ll have more to say on that in the days to come.” Scottish Labour call for election following resignation
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said there must be a Scottish election following Mr Yousaf’s resignation. He thanked Mr Yousaf for his public service and wished him and his family the best for the future.
However, he said: “Scotland faces the biggest challenges since devolution but it now has a dysfunctional, chaotic and divided SNP government.
Meanwhile the Scottish Greens have said Mr Yousaf’s resignation was the “right” decision.
The party’s co-leader Patrick Harvie said the development was “regrettable” but welcomed the “personal responsibility” Mr Yousaf has taken.
UK government ready to work with Yousaf's successor on 'the real issues that matter to people'
Reacting to the first minister’s resignation, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “When the first minister came to office he and the prime minister talked about wanting to work together to focus on the real issues that matter to people. “I haven’t, obviously, seen the news that you’ve reported on, but clearly if that’s the case, the UK government will work with the new administration to the same end, which is working together to deliver for people in Scotland, whether it’s growing the economy, delivering jobs, enhancing energy security. “For most people, they don’t want to be distracted by the ins and outs of politics, they want to see their governments working together to deliver on their priorities.” What triggered the demise of the power-sharing deal between SNP and the Greens?
Support for the SNP declined after the party backed legislation to make it easier for people to change their gender, and implemented a hate crime law that made transgender identity a protected characteristic, even though the same protections weren’t given to all women.
Then came Mr Yousaf’s decision to scrap the 2030 target for greenhouse gas reductions.
Although he said Scotland would still achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, the decision sparked tensions with his coalition partners.
The Green Party initially backed the change, but party leaders said they would poll the broader membership and reverse course if necessary.
On Thursday, Mr Yousaf ended the coalition with the Greens - who also confirmed they would vote to oust him - and was running a minority government.
He had been elected to succeed the operation after Nicola Sturgeon resigned from the position in March last year, becoming the sixth first minister.
Ms Sturgeon’s resignation came amid a police investigation into allegations that the party had misused money donated to fund a second independence referendum. Ms Sturgeon was questioned and released without being charged last June. Her husband, former SNP treasurer Peter Murrell, was charged with embezzlement earlier this month. Both deny any wrongdoing in the case.
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