Humza Yousaf quits as SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister

Humza Yousaf quits as SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister. Humza Yousaf dramatically quit today capping an extraordinary meltdown triggered by sacking his Green coalition partners. The Scottish First Minister tearfully announced he is resigning after failing to drum up enough support to survive a confidence vote.

Watched by his wife Nadia in Edinburgh, Mr Yousaf conceded he had 'underestimated' the backlash from ditching the Bute House deal. He added: 'I'm not willing to trade my values... simply for retaining power.' He said the government needed to be led by someone who could bring MSPs together, although he would stay on as interim leader to ensure continuity.

Choking up as he paid tribute to his family's support, Mr Yousaf said: 'I am in absolute debt to my wonderful wife, my beautiful children and my wider family for putting up with me over the years. I'm afraid you will be seeing a lot more of me from now. 'You are truly everything to me.' Mr Yousaf spent the weekend frantically wooing MSPs, but concluded there was no way of clinging on.

Allies insisted the SNP leader had not been willing to 'do a deal with the devil' by agreeing terms with Alex Salmond. Ash Regan, the sole MSP for his Alba Party, and who potentially held the balance at Holyrood, said it was 'bizarre' he would not compromise.

Defeat would have risked sparking a snap election in Scotland, with the separatists fearing big losses to Labour.
It is a shocking fall from grace for Mr Yousaf, who took over from Nicola Sturgeon barely a year ago.

After he summarily ditched the Greens from the Bute House coalition deal - and publicly humiliated them by making them do a walk of shame in view of cameras - they pledged to back a no confidence motion tabled by the Tories.

It was expected go to a vote later this week. Attention now turns to who will succeed Mr Yousaf, with signs former deputy First Minister John Swinney could take over as a caretaker. He admitted earlier it would be a 'difficult' day.

Ex-leadership contender Kate Forbes and minister Jenny Gilruth have also been touted. #humzayousaf #snp #scotland

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