26 April 2024 , 17:40
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Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he won't resign as he faces knife-edge confidence votes in himself and his Government.
Mr Yousaf's leadership was plunged into crisis on Thursday when he scrapped a coalition deal with the Scottish Greens. The furious party said they would oppose him in a no confidence vote brought by the Scottish Tories, leaving the First Minister reliant on the backing of former leadership rival Ash Regan to survive.
Ms Regan defected to Alex Salmond's Alba party last year after claiming the SNP had lost its focus on independence. She told members today that she is "carefully considering" her position. She has also written to Mr Yousaf to offer him an "early opportunity" to discuss her priorities - Scottish independence, women's rights and the future of the Grangemouth oil refinery.
The First Minister, who cancelled a planned speech as he battled to save his job, said: "I intend absolutely to fight that vote of no confidence, I've got every intention of winning that vote of no confidence. And let me say to the opposition, for a minority government to work in the interest of the people of Scotland also requires the opposition to act in good faith."
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He said he had heard the anger from the Greens and had invited opposition leaders to a meeting about how to make a minority government work. But Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said it was "pretty clear" the First Minister will be unable to unite Holyrood and urged the SNP to find a replacement.
Scottish Labour piled further pressure on the SNP by lodging a no confidence motion in the entire Scottish Government, rather than just Mr Yousaf. If passed, this could lead to a Scottish Parliament election.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "It's a matter now of when, not if, Humza Yousaf will step down as First Minister. It would be untenable for the SNP to assume it can impose another unelected first minister on Scotland."
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross confirmed he will back the Labour motion, saying: "I'll support that because I want to get rid of the Scottish Government."