Humza Yousaf resigns - live: Former SNP leader John Swinney mulls bid to become Scotland’s next first minister
Mr Yousaf’s resignation comes after the collapse of his power-sharing agreement with the Greens last week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former SNP leader John Swinney is considering becoming Scotland’s next first minister after Humza Yousaf quit the role in an emotional speech at midday.
Mr Swinney, 60, who led the party between 2000 and 2004 and stood down after Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation last year, said he was “actively considering” the role of Scottish first minister.
“I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made for me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party. So I’m giving that issue very active consideration,” he told Sky News.
It comes after Yousaf announced he was stepping down during an address at Bute House, Edinburgh, just days before a vote on his leadership was expected.
As he choked up, the 39-year-old thanked his “wonderful” wife and “beautiful” children for supporting him throughout his time in office.
The SNP leader faced two no confidence votes scheduled by the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour – which the Scottish Greens said they would join to oust him.
It came after the SNP’s power-sharing agreement with the Greens collapsed when Yousaf sacked them from his government on Thursday last week.
Humza Yousaf travelling from his home in Dundee to Edinburgh
Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has been pictured getting into a car outside his home in Dundee, where he will travel to Edinburgh.
There is a growing presence outside his official residency of Bute House, where he is expected to give a resignation speech. It is around a 1 hour and 30 minute drive between Dundee and Edinburgh.
Alex Salmond says Alba support for SNP is dependent on push for Scottish independence
Salmond says Alba support for SNP is dependent on independence push
Humza Yousaf in battle for his political future ahead of tight confidence votes at Holyrood
Watch: Scottish Greens confirm they will vote against Humza Yousaf in no confidence motion
Scottish Greens confirm they will vote against Humza Yousaf in no confidence motion
First minister Humza Yousaf’s political future hangs by a thread after the Scottish Greens said they would vote against him in a motion of no confidence. The SNP leader dramatically brought the powersharing deal to an end on Thursday morning (25 April), angering the smaller pro-independence party’s leaders who accused him of “political cowardice”. At a short press conference, co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater confirmed the decision to vote against Mr Yousaf. The Bute House Agreement gave the SNP-led government a majority at Holyrood but it came under strain in recent days after the Greens said they would put the future of the deal to a vote by their members.
Humza Yousaf set to resign today
Humza Yousaf is expected to announce his resignation as Scotland’s First Minister later today.
The SNP leader will quit ahead of a vote of no confidence at Holyrood which was expected to take place on Wednesday.
The result of that vote appeared to be on a knife-edge, with Mr Yousaf struggling to secure enough support to see off the attempt to oust him.
‘The moment of when is perhaps upon us’, Labour MSP says
A Labour MSP has said the “moment of when” is upon Holyrood amid reports Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf will resign.
Paul O’Kane, a Labour MSP, told the Good Morning Scotland programme: “We’ve been saying across the weekend it’s a matter of when not if.
“The moment of when is perhaps upon us.This has been a story of chaos and the government is clearly in chaos and is failing the people of Scotland.”
Scottish people should have chance to vote, Labour says
Scottish people should have the chance to vote in a Holyrood election due to “chaos” under the SNP, Labour’s deputy national campaign coordinator has said.
Ellie Reeves told Sky News: “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.”
Yousaf will ‘jump before he’s pushed’, Scottish Tory MSP says
Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf will “jump before he’s pushed” due to Tory opposition, a Scottish Conservative MSP said.
“If reports are true, Humza Yousaf will jump before he’s pushed - thanks to sustained and strong opposition from the Scottish Conservatives,” Russell Findlay MSP said.
Scotland’s beleaguered first minister Humza Yousaf on the brink
Scotland’s beleaguered first minister Humza Yousaf on the brink
Scotland’s First Minister has written to the leaders of Scotland’s political parties to seek ‘common ground’.
What do the motions say?
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross’s motion would see Holyrood express no confidence in Yousaf “in light of his failures in government”.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s would see MSPs express that they have no confidence in the Scottish government, which is an important distinction.
If MSPs backed Ross’s amendment, the first minister would come under major political pressure to step aside, but he would not be legally bound to. Ross has said he will support Labour’s motion.
However, under the 1998 Scotland Act, if MSPs expressed no confidence in the government Yousaf would have to tender his resignation to the King.
His resignation would spark a 28-day period in which the SNP would be able to replace him, but if a candidate can not command the support of the house, an extraordinary general election would be called.
Holyrood’s parliamentary bureau decides which motions are debated and voted on in the chamber, with the Scottish Tory motion likely to take precedence if both are not picked as they are the second largest party.
The votes Humza Yousaf is facing
1. A motion from the Scottish Conservatives focused on Yousaf himself as first minister. It is non-binding, although it would be hard for him to remain in post if it was carried
2. A Scottish Labour motion which would force the whole Scottish government to resign if passed
The parliamentary bureau, made up of the presiding officer and MSPs from the main parties, will decide this week when the vote takes place and normally gives two days notice.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments