Humza Yousaf to quit as Scottish First Minister triggering SNP crisis

29 April 2024 , 07:20

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Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf is facing two votes of no confidence (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Humza Yousaf is set to quit as Scotland’s First Minister sending the SNP into meltdown.

After just a year in charge, he is expected to resign ahead of votes later this week that could have brought down his leadership and his government. The Daily Record has been told by a senior party source Mr Yousaf will quit on Monday rather than face the votes on.

He is expected to hold a press conference announcing his decision at midday,

Mr Yousaf is understood to want veteran MSP John Swinney, who served as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy, to take over as SNP leader. Other candidates may include Kate Forbes, who ran against Mr Yousaf, Neil Gray and Jenny Gilruth. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is also talked of as a future party leader, but he is an MP rather than an MSP.

Mr Yousaf’s future has been in doubt since he collapsed his party’s coalition deal with the Scottish Greens last week. He required the support of at least one member of the opposition at Holyrood, but had failed to either get an agreement with Alex Salmond’s Alba party or patch things up with the Greens.

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Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think Humza Yousaf any more is in a position to be able to lead." He added: "I don't think there is anything that Humza Yousaf will be able to say to restore the trust he has broken."

Earlier, an SNP MSP has said she has heard "rumours" the First Minister is considering stepping down rather than facing a vote of no confidence. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Michelle Thomson, who was part of Ms Forbes' campaign for leadership last year, 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."

Ashley Cowburn