Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland’s First Minister
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Reporter asks Humza Yousaf if he's 'weak and hopeless'
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Humza Yousaf resigned as SNP leader today after realising he could not win the pending vote of no confidence this week.
The First Minister's political career came to a juddering halt after a spectacular implosion of his own making.
Last week Mr Yousaf jettisoned his coalition deal with the Scottish Greens, failing to realise they would turn on him and leave him vulnerable.
Yesterday the Scottish Greens rebuffed a desperate apology, saying Mr Yousaf had lost their trust and under no circumstances would they vote to back him.
Mr Yousaf, who has served as First Minister and leader of the SNP for 13 months, has now come to the conclusion that his position ‘is no longer tenable’.
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KEY EVENTS Alex Salmond: Yousaf was begging me for deal this morning14:00 Humza Yousaf delivers his emotional resignation speech12:12 Press conference on Humza Yousaf's future confirmed09:47 Runners and riders to replace Humza Yousaf08:47 SNP MSP confirms resignation rumours08:12
7 hours ago14:00 Christian Calgie
Alex Salmond: Yousaf was begging me for deal this morning
Alex Salmond has claimed Humza Yousaf was still begging him for Alba’s support in Holyrood at 7.30am this morning.
The claim, if true, means Mr Yousaf was still trying to keep his job despite widespread reports last night he was set to quit.
Mr Salmond, the former SNP leader, claimed Mr Yousaf complimented the requests they’d made as “very reasonable”.
However he claims the SNP “old guard” blocked him doing a deal with Alba, showing he was no longer in control of his party.
7 hours ago13:50 Christian Calgie
Kate Forbes receives first formal backer
Kate Forbes has been backed as next First Minister by MSP Fergus Ewing, who said she is “head and shoulders” above any other potential candidate.
“Kate Forbes, without a shadow of a doubt, is head and shoulders above the other candidates and she also is not associated with the problems that I think caused Humza eventually to resign."
7 hours ago13:43 Christian Calgie
John Swinney is considering leadership bid
Asked whether he's planning on standing for the SNP leadership, former deputy first minister John Swinney says he's giving it: "very careful consideration".
He added: “I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made for me to do that.”
7 hours ago13:33 Christian Calgie
Nicola Sturgeon praises Yousaf's 'grace, dignity and integrity'
Posting on Twitter, Ms Sturgeon said: "I know how big a privilege being First Minister is, but also the toll it can take".
“I also know what a wrench it is to step aside, even when sure it is the right thing to do.
“Humza has conducted himself with grace, dignity and integrity – both as FM and in the manner of his leaving.
“I am and always will be proud to call him a friend.”
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8 hours ago13:30 Sam Stevenson
Tim Farron says he feels 'sad for' Humza Yousaf
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron took to X after Humza Yousaf's dramatic resignation today.
He said: "Politics is a rough business. There’s lots I disagree with him on, but we should be grateful to and for people who are prepared to put themselves in the firing line in order to serve the public."
I feel sad for Humza. Politics is a rough business. There\u2019s lots I disagree with him on, but we should be grateful to and for people who are prepared to put themselves in the firing line in order to serve the public. I pray for a time of peace and healing for him and his family.
\u2014 Tim Farron (@timfarron) April 29, 2024
8 hours ago13:24 Sam Stevenson
Humza Yousaf's arch-nemesis ready to work with his successor
Ash Regan, who leads the Alba Party in Holyrood, has said she is ready to work with the next Scottish first minister.
She said it was "bizarre" that some SNP MSPs would rather he resigned from the top post than do a deal with the pro-independence party.
The former SNP politician said: "The irony will not be lost on many that the event that has cost Humza Yousaf his job was removing the Greens from Government- something most people in Scotland agreed with.
"Alba Party were willing to work in the best interests of Scotland to put independence back at the heart of Government, protect the rights of women and girls, and to get the Government back onto a competent footing.
"The Greens were willing to vote with the Tories and bizarrely some forces in Humza Yousaf's own party would rather see him resign than deal with a party who really want to advance Independence.
"However, a new SNP leader and a new first minister will not change parliamentary arithmetic. I continue to stand ready to work in the best interests of Scotland and to advance the cause of Scottish independence."
8 hours ago12:53 Sam Stevenson
Humza Yousaf accused of 'ignoring the real priorities of people in Scotland' while First Minister
Commenting on the resignation of Humza Yousaf as First Minister, Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “Humza Yousaf has made the right decision and now there is a chance for Scotland to move on.
“Like his predecessors, he spent far too much time obsessing about the break-up of the UK while , who are living with the failures of 17 years of the SNP in government.
“We can only hope that whoever succeeds him in Bute House learns from his numerous mistakes.
“And while Humza Yousaf prioritised breaking up Britain above everything else, he was merely continuing the traditions of his nationalist party.
“It exposes again that the SNP is happy for everything to descend into chaos so long as its constitutional obsession remains intact.
“As a political party, the SNP is totally unfit for government.”
Humza Yousaf accused of 'ignoring the real priorities of people in Scotland' (Image: PA)
9 hours ago12:31 Christian Calgie
Scottish Greens open door to working with next SNP leader
The Scottish Greens have released a conciliatory statement following Mr Yousaf's resignation as First Minister.
It blatantly suggests they will be willing to help the next SNP leader, which may prevent the party sliding into an unwanted Holyrood election.
Patrick Harvie said: "Now though is the time to return to some stability".
"The SNP is still the largest party in Parliament by some distance, and has the right to form a minority government.
"The Scottish Greens have a long track record of working constructively from opposition and will do so with any First Minister who shares our progressive values and who can secure our confidence."
9 hours ago12:12 Sam Stevenson
Humza Yousaf delivers his emotional resignation speech
He said: "In ending thew Bute House agreement in the way I did I clearly underestimated the level of Hirt and upset that caused Green colleagues.
"I am not willing to trade my values and principles or do deals with whoever, simply for retaining power.
"After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, the government and the country I lead, I have concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.
"I have therefore informed the SNP’s national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader and ask that she commences a contest for my replacement as soon as possible.
"It is my intention to continue as First Minister until my successor has been elected.
"I cannot tell you what an honour it is to be the First Minister of the country I love."
10 hours ago11:07 Christian Calgie
Starmer blasts SNP chaos
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the situation with Humza Yousaf and the SNP is “absolute chaos” and called for a “fresh start” in Scotland.
“I despair at the situation in Scotland – it’s absolute chaos now from the Scottish parliament, from the SNP. So you’ve got chaos in the Scottish parliament, chaos in the Westminster parliament,” Sir Keir said.
He said the Scottish People have been “fundamentally let down” and “all the SNP can offer is chaos.”
He added: “We’ve got to turn the page on this now – we need that general election and a fresh start.”
"It's absolute chaos from the Scottish Parliament and SNP."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the Scottish people are "being fundamentally let down", amid reports that Humza Yousaf is considering resigning as Scotland's first minister. pic.twitter.com/Ung6bKVgki
— Darren McCaffrey (@darrenmccaffrey) April 29, 2024
11 hours ago10:30 Christian Calgie
Bookies say Kate Forbes is favourite to replace Humza Yousaf
Coral bookmakers say Kate Forbes is the odds-on favourite to replace Humza Yousaf, at 1-2.
Neil Gray is second best at 2-1, while Mairi McAllan is in third place at 7-2.
John Swinney is just 8-1.
11 hours ago10:04 Sam Stevenson
Scots Greens co-leader: 'I bear no personal ill will or malice against Humza Yousaf'
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has said the First Minister should stand down on Monday, but insisted he bears no "personal ill will" against Humza Yousaf.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, the former government minister, who was fired when the Bute House Agreement was scrapped, Mr Harvie said: "I'm afraid so.
"I do want to say there is a human impact to all of this, a human element to all of this, I don't bear Humza Yousaf personal ill will or malice in any way at all and I take no pleasure at all, none of us in the Greens do, in turbulence and chaos over the last week or two.
"But it is clear that Humza Yousaf, in the decision that he made last week has broken trust with the Scottish Greens, cannot command a majority in Parliament and we stand ready to work with someone who can.
"Because the SNP are by-far-and-away the largest party in Parliament, they're just short of a majority, they are capable of providing stable minority Government, they have a responsibility to do so.
"I think opposition parties have a responsibility to play their part, it's been done before, it can be done again, but Humza Yousaf, I'm really sorry to say, is no longer in a position to do that, because it has to depend on trust."
GETTY (Image: )
11 hours ago09:47 Sam Stevenson
Press conference on Humza Yousaf's future confirmed
The SNP has confirmed the First Minister will hold a news conference on his future expected at midday today.
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11 hours ago09:33 Sam Stevenson
Scots Tory mocks SNP on day of chaos
Scottish Conservative candidate for Angus & Perthshire Glens Stephen Kerr took to X to mock the SNP's misery.
He said: "BREAKING: The SNP."
BREAKING:
The SNP
\u2014 Stephen Kerr MSP (@RealStephenKerr) April 29, 2024
12 hours ago09:22 Christian Calgie
Former deputy First Minister doesn't deny pending resignation
John Swinney, the former Deputy First Minister who is being hyped up as a potential replacement for Mr Yousaf, has just failed to deny that the SNP leader is set to quit.
When questioned by Sky News he simply said: "There’s a lot to happen today, and we’ll wait to hear what the FM’s got to say later on today".
12 hours ago09:20 Christian Calgie
Scottish Tories boast of ousting two SNP leaders in a row
The Scottish Conservatives are prematurely celebrating the impending resignation of Mr Yousaf.
Leader Douglas Ross said: "We saw off Nicola Sturgeon and now Humza Yousaf. Now we work to remove this entire rotten SNP Government from office".
Fellow MSP Stephen Kerr tweeted: "So that's it. The Scottish Conservatives have now got rid of two SNP First Ministers".
"Sturgeon quit after Sec of State A Jack stood up to her gender nonsense.
"Humza was forced out after feeling compelled to eject the Greens, who were exposed as toxic by our work in ScotParl."
12 hours ago08:47 Christian Calgie
Runners and riders to replace Humza Yousaf
There are three key names being floated at the moment to take over from Mr Yousaf as SNP leader.
1. Kate Forbes
Ms Forbes came second in last year's leadership contest, losing to Mr Yousaf by just 2,100 votes.
To the right of the SNP on both social and fiscal policy, she received criticism from the left last year for her religious stances on issues like abortion, premarital sex and same-sex marriage.
2. Stephen Flynn
The SNP's leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn is a charismatic and confident character in the Commons, often surpassing both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer's performances.
While Mr Flynn could prove electorally popular, he would have to fight a by-election to become an MSP should he want the top job in Scottish politics.
3. John Swinney
The most experienced candidate for the top job, Mr Swinney served as deputy First Minister to Nicola Sturgeon from 2014 to 2023.
While some want him to merely step up as an interim leader, he will have supporters calling on him to take the job full-time.
During his time as a Scottish government minister, he served as finance secretary under Alex Salmond and education secretary and Covid recovery secretary under Sturgeon.
Ms Forbes and Mr Flynn are among the two most-touted replacements (Image: Getty)
12 hours ago08:41 Christian Calgie
BBC confirms Mr Yousaf to quit
The BBC has now also confirmed reports that Humza Yousaf will quit ahead of the vote of confidence.
They break: "Humza Yousaf is to resign as Scotland's first minister as early as today, the BBC understands".
12 hours ago08:38 Christian Calgie
Columnist argues Yousaf's resignation will mean the end of hopes for Scottish independence
Spectator columnist Iain Macwhirter has published an article arguing that Mr Yousaf's resignation will not just be the end of his political career, but the end for "any hopes of Scottish independence happening in the lifetime of most SNP members".
Mr Macwhirter argues Mr Yousaf was "overpromoted by a party that no longer knew what it was in government for".
He argues there is no possible replacement who can "salvage this divided, discredited and directionless political party".
12 hours ago08:36 Christian Calgie
Scottish LibDems say Yousaf has 'run out of road'
The Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has said: "It doesn't look good for the First Minister. I think he's run out of road".
He added that trust in Mr Yousaf has "evaporated".
12 hours ago08:35 Christian Calgie
Labour MP: Scotland needs an election
Labour's deputy national campaign coordinator Ellie Reeves has said there should be an election in Scotland.
Ms Reeves fumed: "No-one voted for Humza Yousaf and given all of the chaos I think there should be an election up in Scotland so that people in Scotland can have their say on what’s happening up there".
“At the moment they are being failed by an SNP government in Holyrood and a Conservative Government in Westminster.”
13 hours ago08:28 Christian Calgie
Daily Record confirms reports Mr Yousaf 'preparing to quit'
The Scottish paper, The Daily Record, has also published a report saying Mr Yousaf will resign today ahead of the vote of confidence.
The paper cites a "senior party figure" who says he will quit "later today".
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13 hours ago08:12 Christian Calgie
SNP MSP confirms resignation rumours
SNP MSP Michelle Thompson has confirmed they are hearing the rumours of Mr Yousaf's pending resignation.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Ms Thompson said: "I’m hearing the same rumours and I think we’re all waiting to see what the actual position is".
“I guess the rumours suggest that something is afoot, but I honestly can’t clarify because I’ve had no update nor, as I understand have my MSP group, so I guess we’ll all hear definitively one way or another this morning.”
Ms Thompson backed Mr Yousaf's leadership rival Kate Forbes in last year's SNP race.
Ms Forbes is thought to be a potential successor to Mr Yousaf, after missing out on the top job by just 2,100 votes.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is also hyped as a potential successor.
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13 hours ago08:11 Christian Calgie
Scottish Greens co-leader reiterates call for Yousaf to quit
Patrick Harvie has said Mr Yousaf is no longer "in a position to be able to lead".
Speaking to the Today Programme he said: "I don’t think there is anything that Humza Yousaf will be able to say to restore the trust he has broken".
He added: "I think opposition parties have a responsibility to play their part, it’s been done before, it can be done again, but Humza Yousaf, I’m really sorry to say, is no longer in a position to do that, because it has to depend on trust".
The comments once again reiterate Mr Yousaf's political nativity, thinking he could brutally ditch his coalition partners and still have the numbers in Holyrood to govern.
The SNP has 63 MSPs, to the opposition's 64.
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