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Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned and quit his position as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) after a tumultuous week which followed the breakdown of a coalition agreement with the Scottish Greens.
He then failed to secure sufficient support to survive expected no confidence votes later this week.
Mr Yousaf’s resignation comes just over a year after he became Scotland’s First Minister, with Mr Yousaf saying that it was time for someone else to lead Scotland’s devolved government.
“After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I’ve concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm,” he told a press conference at Edinburgh’s Bute House.
Mr Yousaf’s time as First Minister was marked by controversy as a result of the introduction of hate crime legislation, which became law under Mr Yousaf, and trans issues, among other things.
This comes as the Labour Party in Scotland waits in the wings ahead of a national election expected later this year.
Anas Sarwar, Labour’s leader in Scotland, said that the SNP is a divided party and failing Scotland at a time of rising challenges.
Mr Sarwar said that the SNP “cannot impose another unelected first minister on Scotland in a backroom deal – the people of Scotland should decide who leads our country”.
Mr Yousaf replaced Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and SNP leader.
He is expected to remain first minister until a leadership contest finds his replacement.
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